THE  GIFT  OF 

MAY  TREAT  MORRISON 

IN  MEMORY  OF 

ALEXANDER  F  MORRISON 


THE    MILITARY    NOVEL   SUPPRESSED 
BY    THE    GERMAN    GOVERNMENT 


LIFE  IN  A  GARRISON  TOWN 


LIFE  IN  A 
GARRISON  TOWN 

THE  MILITARY  NOVEL 
SUPPRESSED  BY  THE 
GERMAN  GOVERNMENT 

By  LIEUTENANT  BILSE 


THE  AUTHORISED  TRANSLATION  OF 
"AUS  EINER  KLEINEN  GARNISON" 
WITH  A  FOREWORD  BY  THEODORE 
DREISER,   AN    INTRODUCTION   BY 

ARNOLD  V^HITE 
AND  A  SUMMARY  OF  THE   COURT- 
MARTIAL 


NEW    YORK:    JOHN    LANE    COMPANY 

LONDON:  JOHN  LANE,  THE  BODLEY  HEAD 

MCMXIV 


Copyright,  1904 
By  JOHN  LANE 


TENTH  EDITION 


Foreword 

By  Theodore  Dreiser 


THE  history  of  this  novel  can  be  passed 
over  as  known.    The  attempt  to  make 
it  an  anti-mihtary  and    anti-German 
document  is  artistically  unimportant.  But,  in 
my  opinion,  the  thing  that  should  be  said  of 
the  book  is  that  it  is  sound  realism,  and  better 
than  that,  and,  in  my  judgment,  because  of 
?^'       it,  good  art.      What  we  need,  and  what  the 
w       sound  intelligence  of  the  world  rejoices  in, 
5       are  true,   unflmchmg   pictures   or   presenta- 
tions of  life  done  after  and  through  a  tem- 
perament which  is  artistically  sound.    These 
may  be  conscious  or  unconscious;  accidental 
or  planned.    What  matter?  Are  they  artistic? 
Real?     Verifiable?     Do  they  appeal  to  your 
instincts    for   verisimilitude — do   they   tally 
with  your  experience?    Then  they  are  good 
^       art  and  the  very  best  things  that  life  can 
li.       give  you.     They  need  not  apotheosize  life, 
J-       and  in  the  last  analysis  do  not.    Life  properly 
3       and  artistically  presented  apotheosizes  itself, 
and  incidentally  its  handmaiden,  the  artist. 
Life  is  great,   it  is  beautiful,  it  is   artistic. 
Give  us  a  picture  of  it  in  its  balanced  relation 


42S841 


Foreword 

to  other  things  and  that  picture  is  inherently 
beautiful  and  even  thrilling.  It  cannot  be 
otherwise. 

Ten  years  ago  I  first  heard  of  Lieutenant 
Bilse  and  his  "Garrison  Town,"  and  the 
storm  his  book  had  raised  in  Germany.  Some- 
where I  found  it  and  read  it.  I  perceived  that 
as  usual  it  was  being  received  with  sniffs 
or  open  denunciation  by  the  promoralistic — 
those  dear  people  who  always  lift  their  skirts 
and  pass  by  on  the  other  side.  At  that  time 
in  America  as  well  as  in  England  it  was  com- 
mented on  as  being  compounded  of  de- 
bauchery, lying,  eavesdropping,  adultery  and 
so  on.  I  remember  one  promoralistic  editor 
whose  magazine  has  since  been  turned  to 
veiled  sensuality  in  literature  in  order  to  gain 
good  money,  whose  lips  curled  superiorly  as 
he  explained  that  it  was  "just  filth  indulged 
in  by  a  vile  mind,  and  not  art."  If  it  had 
presented  some  European  toy  soldier — a 
count  perhaps — storming  citadels  of  power, 
spouting  moral  maxims  and  triumphing  in 
enduring  romantic  love  all  would  have  been 
well.  It  would  have  been  undying  art — for 
that  year.  As  it  was,  it  was  a  crime  against 
literature,  and  as  such  needed  to  be  at  once 
suppressed. 

vi 


Foreword 

What  are  you  to  do  with  a  world  that  loves 
lies,  and  make-believe,  and  spume?  What 
are  you  to  say  of  two  billion  mortals  more  or 
less  who  say  one  thing  and  do  another — are 
animals  and  believe  they  are  holy  men? 
When  the  plain  ordinary  facts  of  life  are  per- 
petually blinked  at  and  people  will  not  tol- 
erate in  any  artist  a  moving,  honest  repre- 
sentation of  Hfe  as  it  is,  then  what?  The 
Venus  de  Milo  is  immoral;  Botticelli's  Spring 
is  immoral.  The  lady  is  enciente.  Michael 
Angelo's  Medici  tomb  figures  are  immoral. 
Balzac  is  immoral,  Flaubert  is  immoral,  Tol- 
stoy is  immoral.  Only  Laura  Jean  Libbey's 
novels  and  the  priests  and  bishops  are  moral. 
Life  should  be  ashamed  of  itself!  Or  so  we 
are  led  to  believe. 

And  so  now  comes  another  scoundrel  and 
writes  another  immoral  book.  He  did  not 
know  he  was  a  scoundrel,  perhaps,  until  he 
sat  down  to  write  and  felt  that  he  owed  it 
to  his  conscience  to  picture  the  world  as  he 
saw  it.  Then  he  was  a  scoundrel,  should  have 
realized  that  the  world  reserves  severe  pun- 
ishment for  scoundrels,  should  have  stultified 
his  conscience  and  written  a  "Graustark,"  or 
"The  Story  of  the  Rosary."  Alas,  the  man 
was  incorruptibly  immoral.  He  would  say 
vii 


Foreword 

what  was  true.    Into  the  guard  house!    And 
there  he  eventually  landed. 

But  what  of  his  book?  I  recall  its  being 
denounced  as  vulgar,  shabby,  a  snouting  of 
muck,  etc.  All  good  Christians  and  moralists 
at  once  put  it  aside,  or  went  down  the  next 
street  for  fear  of  coming  in  contact  with  it. 
It  was  tabooed. 

After  ten  years  of  forgetfulness  and  in- 
difference it  comes  to  life  again  here, — after 
the  leaves  of  ten  thousand  romantic  master- 
pieces and  best  sellers  have  settled  down  on 
it  and  presumably  buried  it  forever.  Why.f* 
Why  didn't  it  die.''  Why  didn't  the  other 
things  applauded  by  my  friend  the  editor  live? 

Was  it  because  it  is  full  of  debauchery, 
lying,  eavesdropping,  and  blackmailing,  as 
has  been  moralistically  said  here,  there,  and 
everywhere — as  usual? 

In  part  no  doubt  because  life  has  much  of 
these,  and  romantic  novels  do  not  indicate 
them. 

Or  is  it  because  it  was  an  indictment  of 
gigantic  evils — deadly  moral  and  physical 
wrongs  in  the  German  army? — as  the  pro- 
moralist  has  declared. 

No  doubt — for  evil  is  ever  persistent,  even 
in  Germany. 

viii 


Foreword 

Or  could  it  be  due  to  the  fact  that  Lieuten- 
ant Bilse  was  an  officer  and  sent  to  jail,  and 
that  Germany  has  now  gone  to  war? 

In  part  yes,  and  yet,  only  in  small  part, — 
for  the  book  was  before  Lieutenant  Bilse  was 
sent  to  jail,  and  it  sent  him  there. 

No — not  any  one  of  these  things  entirely 
nor  all  of  them  together,  but  for  a  very  much 
greater  reason. 

To  get  at  the  true  inwardness  of  this  thing 
one  must  look  for  the  temperament  of  the 
true  artist — that  sweetness  and  liberality  of 
spirit,  delicate,  emotional,  unmoral,  appre- 
ciative, coupled  with  a  divine  enthusiasm 
for  life  as  a  picture — which  permits  Life, 
quite  as  a  materialized  ghost,  for  instance, 
and  by  the  aid  of  the  personality  of  a  medium, 
to  stand  before  you  seemingly  real,  harmo- 
nious, a  fine  presentation  of  the  subtleties, 
incongruities,  beauties,  lecheries,  materialities, 
and  spiritualities  of  this  too,  too  solid  flesh. 

I  have  to  smile  at  the  testimony  given  in 
the  back  of  one  edition  of  this  book — the  tes- 
timony taken  at  Metz,  where  Lieutenant 
Bilse  was  tried.  The  Presiding  Judge — (to 
Pharmacist  Dreesen  of  Forbach) : 

Did  you  recognize  all  the  characters  in  the 
book .? 

ix 


Foreword 

Pharmacist  Dreesen — Yes.  The  most  life- 
like are  Frau  Ey  and  Major  Fuchs.  All  For- 
bach  was  full  of  it;  even  the  ordinary  laborers 
had  read  the  book. 

The  Presiding  Judge  (to  Major  Fuchs  of 
Forbach) — It  is  said  that  you  made  her 
(Frau  Ey's)  complaints  the  subjects  of  official 
discussion,  and  ordered  your  officers  to 
dancing  spurs  because  her  dress  had  been 
torn  at  a  ball,  and  that  you  reprimanded 
them  for  not  kissing  her  hand,  which  was  in 
a  dirty  riding  glove  of  her  husband's. 

Major  Fuchs — I  remember  the  order,  but 
not  that  Frau  Ey  was  the  cause. 

The  Presiding  Judge — It  is  said  that  you 
were  in  the  habit  of  ordering  such  expensive 
bowls  of  punch  at  the  casino  parties  that  it 
caused  the  officers  great  and  unnecessary 
expense. 

Major  Fuchs — If  it  was  done  it  was  with 
the  consent  of  all.  At  any  rate,  as  I  always 
use  cheap  wines,  the  expense  could  not  have 
exceeded  two  marks  a  head. 

The  Presiding  Judge  (to  Lieutenant  Lind- 
ner)— ^Are  the  circumstances  true,  as  there 
described,  of  Frau  Erdler's  presence  in  your 
house  .f* 

Lieutenant  Lindner — Yes,  we  were  very 


Foreword 

intimate  with  the  Erdlers.  He  was  a  fine 
man,  and  she  seemed  a  most  honorable 
woman.  Indeed,  she  told  my  wife  that  with 
the  exception  of  her,  no  one  was  left  in  the 
regiment  with  whom  she  cared  to  associate. 
.  .  .  When  her  husband  was  transferred  to 
Spandau  she  begged  my  wife  to  let  her  stay 
with  us  until  the  moving  was  over.  During 
the  last  days  of  her  visit  she  changed  very 
much  and  became  very  excitable.  One  day 
she  received  a  letter,  read  it,  tore  it  up,  and 
threw  the  pieces  into  the  fireplace.  She  ex- 
plained that  she  was  invited  that  afternoon 
to  Frau  Goeben's.  She  went  out,  and  as  late 
at  night  she  had  not  returned,  my  wife  be- 
came very  anxious,  so  I  sent  an  orderly  to 
the  Goebens  to  see  her  home.  He  did  not 
find  her  there,  nor,  it  seems,  had  she  been 
invited,  upon  which  I  sent  him  to  Major 
Fuchs  to  find  out  if  she  was  there,  and  she 
was  not.  At  eleven  o'clock  we  heard  her 
creep  into  her  room.  My  wife  had  in  the 
meantime  picked  up  the  torn  letter  out  of 
the  fireplace.  It  said:  "My  treasure,  I  am 
waiting  for  you  at  the  usual  place."  I  was 
furious  to  find  how  this  woman  had  abused 
our  hospitality.  I  at  once  went  to  Major 
Fuchs  with  the  letter,  as  it  was  my  duty  to 


Foreword 

under  the  circumstances.  He  said:  "I  do 
not  want  to  know  what  is  in  the  letter. 
Turn  the  woman  out  of  doors.  She  has 
ceased  to  be  the  wife  of  an  officer."  In  the 
morning  when  Frau  Erdler  came  down  I  re- 
quested her  to  leave  my  house.  I  have  never 
seen  her  since." 

What  do  these  things  indicate?  Lies,  an 
immoral,  dishonest  mind  in  Lieutenant  Bilse, 
or  a  keen  power  to  observe  the  romance, 
failure,  humor,  and  color  of  life?  But  what 
say  the  moralists?  "Scandalous!  Unclean! 
Unclean!  Cover  it  up!  Never  speak  of  it! 
Let  no  critic  praise  this  as  literature!"  "But 
it  is  literature,"  we  say,  and  strange  to  say, 
all  great  art  is,  like  it,  an  uncovering  of  the 
visible  scene  in  its  balanced  proportions — 
not  ten  gallons  of  romance  and  make-believe 
to  one  gill  of  fact,  a  hero  nine  feet  tall  to  a 
scoundrel  of  three  inches — but  a  balanced 
picturing  of  things  as  they  are, — one  gallon 
of  fact  to  one  of  romance,  or  more  if  neces- 
sary or  in  those  happy  proportions  which 
life  itself  arranges. 

Life  is  the  thing  we  are  all  trying  to  de- 
lineate.   Life,  its  terrors  and  perfections,  and 
he  is  the  greatest  artist  who  does  this  best. 
So  in  this  book  I  rank  Lieutenant  Bilse  high, — 
xii 


Foreword 

his  force  as  an  artist — for  here  is  Hfe,  a  small 
fragment,  it  is  true,  but  a  veritable  chip  of 
the  sacred  Caaba  of  fact. 

Theodore  Dreiser 


xm 


Introductio 


N 


AT  the  beginning  of  the  last  century 
/-\  Prussia  received  a  lesson  and  a  chas- 
"^  -^  tisement  from  France.  Profiting  by- 
experience,  she  reorganised  her  system  of 
education,  her  civil  service,  and  her  army. 
In  due  time  she  became  a  great  Power  by 
obedience  to  the  teachings  of  Stein,  Harden- 
berg,  and  von  Scharnhorst.  Compulsory 
military  service,  combined  with  compulsory 
education,  brought  Prussia  by  slow  and  im- 
perceptible degrees  to  so  high  a  standard  of 
intellectual  and  moral  development,  that  by 
1 87 1  the  German  nation  had  become  the 
most  enlightened  and  the  most  disciplined 
in  Europe,  having  attained  at  a  single  stroke 
the  highest  place  among  the  Continental 
Powers.  For  two  decades  after  the  victory 
of  Sedan  no  one  dreamed  of  disputing  the 
place  which  Germany  had  won  for  herself 
among  the  armed  nations  of  the  world  ;  but 
prosperity  and  the  riches  which  rewarded  a 
century  of  self-denial  slowly  worked  subtle 
changes  in  the  social  system  of  the  German 

XV 


Introduction 


people.  Indulgence  in  luxury,  inseparable 
from  commercial  success,  soon  began  to  taint 
the  army  itself —  a  miracle  of  organisation 
and  efficiency  as  a  man-slaying  machine  when 
controlled  by  von  Moltke  and  von  Roon. 
When  the  Emperor  William  II.  came  to 
the  throne  in  1888,  he  brought  to  the  exe- 
cution of  his  difficult  task  rare  qualities  of 
intellect,  imagination  and  will.  The  rigid 
discipline  imposed  on  the  army  by  his  ances- 
tors was  maintained  with  a  rigour  unknown 
in  England,  and  repugnant  to  democracy 
everywhere.  The  division  of  the  German 
nation  into  two  castes  —  those  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Emperor  and  private  citizens  — 
became  absolute.  The  officer  caste  enjoy 
privileges  and  social  distinction  denied  to  the 
civilian  population,  and  thereby  are  partly 
remunerated  for  iron  discipline  and  for  scanty 
pay.  Within  the  last  ten  years  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  officers  of  the  German  army,  most 
of  whom  are  poor  men,  have  contracted  debts 
on  a  scale  which,  in  the  opinion  of  military 
students  of  other  nations,  already  impairs  the 
efficiency  of  the  army. 

More  than  a  generation  has  passed  since 
the  conquering  German  legions  returned  to 
their  own  firesides   elated  with   the  success 
xvi 


Introduction 


they  had  won  in  the  stricken  field.  Is  the 
German  army  to-day  of  the  same  quality  as 
that  which  passed  from  victory  to  victory  on 
the  soil  of  France  ? 

The  answer  to  this  question  is  contained 
in  Lieutenant  Bilse's  book,  which  is  here 
translated  with  consummate  skill  for  the 
benefit  of  English  readers.  Its  publi'^ation 
in  Germany  was  punished  by  arrest,  a  court- 
martial,  and  the  imprisonment  of  its  author 
for  six  months  and  his  expulsion  from  the 
German  army.  It  is  impossible  to  exaggerate 
the  sensation  that  has  been  caused  by  this 
book  in  Germany,  while  in  Austria  and 
France,  where  it  has  been  published,  and  is 
known  to  the  General  Staff,  revelations  of 
degeneracy  in  the  "  invincible  "  German  army 
have  aroused  the  keenest  interest. 

When  Lieutenant  Bilse  was  consigned  to 
prison  the  attention  of  the  whole  world  was 
attracted  to  his  book,  because  the  public  were 
convinced  that,  if  the  book  had  been  in  the 
main  untrue,  the  chiefs  of  the  German  army 
would  never  have  condescended  to  raise  the 
storm  that  followed  the  conviction  of  its 
author. 

The  cruel  truth  of  this  book  is  both  its 
merit  and  its  demerit,  for  the  author,  with 
xvii 


Introduction 


striking  audacity,  has  exposed  the  crying 
evils  of  which  he  was  a  witness,  and  uncon- 
sciously —  as  he  testifies  in  the  court-martial 
—  so  faithfully  limned  the  characters  of  his 
associates  and  superiors  that  each  was 
promptly  recognised  in  the  living  counter- 
part. The  officers  who  unknowingly  sat  as 
models  for  Lieutenant  Bilse's  gallery  of  por- 
traits have  themselves  paid  the  penalty  for 
the  cruelties,  corruption  and  debauchery 
described  in  his  disclosures.  They  have 
been  retired  from  the  service,  and  this  action 
on  the  part  of  the  authorities  is  a  demonstra- 
tion of  the  truth  of  Lieutenant  Bilse's  indict- 
ment of  the  military  system  and  of  the 
existence  of  the  evils  he  has  described. 

Lieutenant  Bilse's  obvious  aim  is  to 
expose  the  deterioration  of  the  military 
system.  It  is  true  that  he  deals  only  with  a 
little  frontier  garrison,  where  the  monotony 
of  a  daily  routine  consumes  only  a  fraction 
of  the  energies  and  a  part  of  the  time  of  the 
garrison,  while  cruelty  and  debauchery  are 
the  inevitable  fruits  of  idleness  and  formalism. 
The  great  socialist  party  in  Germany,  and 
the  thoughtful  men  of  all  parties  who  are 
not  enamoured  of  Bismarckian  militarism, 
acknowledge  that  the  publication  of  this 
xviii 


Introduction 


book  in  Germany  is  marked  by  an  audacity 
of  courage  deserving  the  gratitude  of  the 
nation.  A  mere  subaltern,  this  German 
David  has  laid  violent  hands  on  the  Goliath 
of  the  army  system  idolised  by  German 
bureaucracy,  womankind,  and  the  Press. 
The  idol  is  found  to  have  feet  of  clay.  The 
youth  and  the  audacity  of  Lieutenant  Bilse 
have  procured  for  him  the  sobriquet  of  the 
enfant  terrible  of  the  German  army.  He 
has  blurted  out  the  naked  truth,  with  con- 
sequences it  is  impossible  to  foresee.  The 
Kaiser  is  a  man  who  knows  how  to  take 
occasion  by  the  hand,  who  faces  facts  and 
shuns  self-deception  with  a  courage  and 
clear-sightedness  that  were  not  characteristic 
of  all  his  predecessors.  The  Kaiser,  more- 
over, as  the  present  writer  can  testify  from 
personal  knowledge,  is  the  greatest  apostle 
of  efficiency  on  the  European  Continent. 
He  knows  that  the  divorce  of  military  des- 
potism from  efficiency  is  the  forerunner  of 
military  collapse  and  Imperial  wreck.  It  Is, 
therefore,  certain  that  Lieutenant  Bilse's  reve- 
lations will,  so  far  as  the  Kaiser  can  control 
events,  be  the  cause  of  far-reaching  changes  in 
the  administration  of  the  German  army.  And 
yet  the  Kaiser  himself  confirmed  the  verdict, 
xix 


IntJ'oduction 


The    life-history    of    Lieutenant    Oswald 
Fritz   Bilse  does  not  differ  from  that  of  tens 
of  thousands  of  his  late  brother-officers.     He 
was   born   in    Kirn  on    the    River    Nahe,  a 
branch  of  the  Rhine,  on  March  31st,  1878. 
His    father    is    headmaster   of  a    school    in 
Thiiringen,    where    his    son    was     educated 
until  the  time  came  for  his  transfer  to  the 
gymnasium   at   Eisenach.      In    1896   he  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  enter   the  army,   as    he 
had  formed  a  taste  for  military  life.     Two 
years  later   Bilse  was  appointed   Lieutenant. 
From   Cassel,  where  he   was  first  stationed, 
he  Vv'as  sent  to   Forbach,  which  is  the  little 
garrison  he  has  immortalised  in  his  novel. 
In  Forbach  Lieutenant  Bilse  seems  to  have 
been   left  much   to   his   own   resources,  and 
here  his  most  intimate  friend   was  Captain 
Bandel,  the    Captain    Konig    of  the   novel. 
Although  Bilse  entered  on  a  military  career 
with  bright  confidence  and  the  high   hopes 
of  youth,  disillusion  soon  followed  the   ex- 
periences   of    his    soldier    life.      In     1903, 
having    completed     his    novel,    he    sent    in 
his  resignation  just   before    its   publication. 
Being    a    young    man   of  talent   and    active 
mind,  he  then  decided  to  study  painting  at 
the  Beaux-Arts  in  Berlin.     It  was  rumoured 

XX 


Introduciion. 


that  he  had  to  leave  the  army  because  of  his 
debts,  but  that  was  not  true,  for  the  charges 
of  extravagance  brought  against  him  were 
dispelled  by  the  facts  of  the  case.  He  is  a 
lover  of  books,  with  an  artistic  temperament 
and  the  modern  taste  for  old  furniture. 
Like  all  young  soldiers,  he  was  sometimes 
inclined  to  rebel  against  the  iron  discipline 
to  which  he  was  subjected.  Several  records 
of  small  punishments  appear  against  his  name 
in  the  regimental  books.  Short  arrests  — 
on  one  occasion  for  a  disrespectful  reply  to 
a  superior  officer,  and  at  another  time  for 
spending  six  weeks  in  London  without  leave 
—  are  the  black  marks  against  his  name  in 
a  report  signed  by  Major  Fuchs,  his  com- 
manding officer,  with  whom  he  was  no 
favourite,  and  whom  he  has  called  in  the 
novel  Colonel  Kronau.  Bilse  is  described 
by  his  Colonel  as  pretentious,  and  with  a 
taste  for  extravagance  unbefitting  his  rank. 
Colonel  Kronau,  however,  admits  that  with 
all  his  defects  Bilse  is  a  good,  active,  and 
intelligent  officer. 

Had  the  Lieutenant's  resignation  been 
accepted  before  the  book  appeared,  the  au- 
thorities would  have  been  powerless  against 
him.      But  as  he  was    still   on  the  books  of 

XX  i 


Introduction 


the  army,  he  was  arrested  for  disobeying  the 
stringent  military  order  that  no  officer  is  per- 
mitted to  publish  any  work  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  authorities,  and  further,  that  he 
had  infringed  military  discipline  by  libelling 
his  superiors  and  comrades. 

In  due  time  he  was  brought  up  for  trial 
by  court-martial,  which  lasted  from  the  9th 
to   the    nth    November,    1903.     A    lad   of 
twenty-five  was  confronted  by  all  the  forces 
of  the  Imperial   Government  for  describing 
in     his    book    the    sordid    debauchery    and 
senseless    tyranny    of    garrison    life    in    the 
provinces.     The     importance    of    the    trial 
arose  from  the  fact  that  the  military  life  of 
Forbach  differed  in  no  way  from  innumer- 
able other   small    towns   of  the  same    kind. 
The  isolated  life  of  military  detachments  is 
apt   to    produce    deterioration    not   only   in 
Germany,  but   in   other   countries.      In   the 
British   army,  for  example,  the  tone  of  the 
isolated    garrisons,    as    in    St.    Helena    and 
other  coaling-stations,  is  absolutely  depend- 
ent upon  the  good  sense  and  high  principle 
of  the  commanding  officer.     The  Boer  War 
and  the  subsequent  Royal   Commission  re- 
vealed  enough    to   show   that   it    is    unwise 
for   critics  who   live   in  the   English   glass- 
XX  ii 


Iiitrodiictioii 


house    to    throw    stones    at    their    German 
neighbours. 

Bilse's  defence  was  that  his  novel  was  only 
a  work  of  imagination.  He  contended  that 
he  had  simply  tried  to  describe  definite  exist- 
ing evils  of  military  life  without  having  any 
intention  of  being  personal  in  any  of  his  de- 
scriptions of  officers  at  Forbach,  and  that  he 
had  only  made  use  of  his  undoubted  right 
as  an  author  to  describe  such  events  as  came 
under  his  notice  and  such  traits  as  helped 
him  in  the  delineation  of  his  characters.  He 
further  stated  that  if  he  had  written  anything 
that  was  libellous  he  was  innocent  of  intent, 
and  that  although  he  had  written  his  book 
while  still  in  the  army,  he  had  sent  in  his 
resignation  before  its  publication. 

Within  recent  years  the  description  of 
military  life  had  inspired  the  genius  of  many 
of  the  most  powerful  writers  in  Germany. 
The  subject,  indeed,  had  actually  created  a 
school  of  dramatists  and  novelists,  and  the 
result  had  been  a  large  addition  both  to  the 
drama  and  to  literature.  The  difference 
between  the  book  of  Lieutenant  Bilse  and 
those  of  other  German  writers  is  that,  while 
their  works  were  the  product  of  imagination, 
Germany  was  thrilled  throughout  by  this 
xxiii 


Introduction 


book  because  the  melancholy  and  sordid 
facts  recorded  therehi  were  narrated  by  a 
man  who  had  lived  his  life  in  the  atmosphere 
he  described,  and  who  was  himself  an  actor 
in  a  tragedy  the  like  of  which  exists  in  every 
German  military  station. 

It  is  impossible  for  Englishmen  to  grasp 
the  immense  effect  of  Lieutenant  Bilse's 
book,  because  compulsory  military  service 
renders  every  youth  and  every  parent  in 
Germany  personally  and  directly  interested 
in  the  facts  related  by  Bilse.  The  knowl- 
edge that  every  healthy  male  in  Germany 
must  submit  to  the  military  conditions  and 
breathe  the  atmosphere  described  as  existing 
in  the  town  of  Forbach  stirred  Germany  to 
its  depths,  because  family  life,  which  is  still 
the  dominant  note  throughout  the  Kaiser's 
dominions,  was  touched  in  its  tenderest  spot 
by  this  recital  of  tyranny,  debauchery,  and 
crime. 

It  is  too  early  to  say  whether  the  Kaiser 
and  his  General  Staff  will  succeed  in  re- 
forming the  evils  described  by  Lieutenant 
Bilse.  That  his  Majesty  will  use  every 
effort  to  do  so  may  be  assumed,  for  the 
German  people  who  give  their  sons  to  their 
country  are  highly-educated  and  reflecting 
xxiv 


Infrodnction 


people,  and  their  claim  on  the  Emperor 
that  the  young  men  shall  not  be  sent  back 
to  their  parents  physically  and  morally 
degenerate  is  irresistible.  The  gratitude  of 
these  fathers  and  mothers  to  Lieutenant 
Bllse  for  speaking  the  truth  and  for  under- 
going imprisonment  is  real,  but  it  cannot  be 
expressed.  1  have  reason  to  know  that  even 
his  own  relations  are  unable  to  evince  the 
sympathy  or  express  the  feelings  which 
naturally  arise.  The  imprisonment  and 
punishment  of  Bilse  is  an  exemplification 
of  the  Spanish  proverb  —  "  Who  would  be 
a  Christ  must  expect  crucifixion."  The 
prophet  who  laments  when  he  is  punished 
for  striking  a  blow  for  the  commonwealth  in 
the  public  service  scarcely  deserves  the  name 
of  a  prophet,  for  the  people  who  do  the 
greatest  service  to  the  human  race  and  who 
bring  about  widespread  and  lasting  reform 
are  those  who  in  their  lifetimes  must  endure 
the  opposition  and  earn  the  hatred  of  all  who 
profit  by  the  existing  system. 

This  book  of  Lieutenant  Bilse  has  had  its 
parallel  both  in  France  and  in  England.  In 
France  the  novel,  "  Les  Maritimes,"  exposed 
the  life  of  naval  society  at  Toulon  in  pre- 
cisely the  same   manner  as  the  lite   in  For- 

XX  v 


Introduction 


bach  is  revealed  by  Lieutenant  Bilse.  The 
English  equivalent  to  the  German  novel, 
"  Life  in  a  Garrison  Town,"  and  to  the 
French  novel,  "  Les  Maritimes,"  is  it  not 
written  in  the  Book  of  the  Chronicles  of  the 
Royal  Commission  on  the  War  ? 

Arnold  White 


xxvi 


LIFE  IN  A 

GARRISON  TOIVN 

Chapter    I 

IN  a  large  sitting-room,  furnished  with 
both  comfort  and  elegance,  Frau  Clara 
Konig  was  putting  the  last  touches  to 
the  preparations  for  receiving  her  guests. 

One  evening  in  the  week  she  always  had 
music,  to  which  such  of  her  intimate  friends 
as  were  musical  were  invited.  To-night  a 
few  outside  the  circle  had  been  asked  to 
witness,  as  it  were,  the  triumph  of  the 
"  artists." 

The  lady  of  the  house  here  changed  the 
position  of  a  chair,  or  there,  with  light  touch, 
smoothed  an  embroidery,  of  which  there  were 
many  worked  by  her  own  hands  in  various 
colours  and  designs.  She  carefully  exam- 
ined the  lamps  to  see  how  long  they  would 
burn,  opened  the  piano  and  the  harmonium, 
and  threw  a  last  fond  glance  at  the  flowers 
to  see  if  the  vases  displayed  their  fragrant  con- 
'  I 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Totvn 


tents  from  the  besL  point  of  view.  This 
was  ■  hei'  d^Hght,  and  even  in  the  depths  of 
winter  there  were  always  a  few  flowers,  or 
at  least  a  small  plant,  on  the  chimney-piece 
or  in  the  window. 

Of  medium  height,  and  with  a  graceful 
figure,  Frau  Clara  was  a  woman  of  about 
thirty.  Her  pretty  fresh  face,  sunny  blue 
eyes  and  fair  hair  tastefully  arranged,  made 
her  look  very  young  and  attractive. 

She  sank  into  an  arm-chair  now  that  every- 
thing was  in  order,  though  indeed  everything 
always  was  in  order. 

At  this  moment  the  curtain  of  the  door 
into  the  next  room  was  flung  aside  and  her 
husband,  a  tall  man  with  a  black  moustache, 
came  in  to  do  his  share  of  the  work,  for  it 
was  his  duty  to  light  the  chandelier.  He 
usually  reckoned  in  the  proportion  of  one 
jet  for  each  guest,  but  to-night  he  hghted 
the  whole  chandelier,  for  many  were  ex- 
pected, and  there  were  only  five  burners  in 
all.  So  he  lighted  them  with  a  taper  that 
stood  handy  in  the  chimney-corner,  grum- 
bled about  the  extortionate  gas  bills,  and 
then  emptying  the  coal-scuttle  on  the  fire, 
flung  in  a  piece  of  paper  after  to  prevent  its 
smoking ;  then  he  also  dropped  into  a  chair. 

2 


lyif'e  in  a  G-arii.soji  T(nx:iL 


Herr  Albert  Konig  was  an  excellent  type 
of  a  cavalry  officer.  He  kept  his  squadron 
in  the  best  order,  and  devoted  to  it  the 
greatest  zeal  and  the  most  unremitting  care. 
\{  he  happened  to  have  time  and  leisure  he 
read  Die  Deutsche  Zeitung,  or  studied  the 
columns  of  the  financial  news,  or  worked 
in  his  well-kept  garden,  or  watched  over  his 
poultry  yard,  for  he  sold  the  eggs  that  came 
from  there  to  his  wife  at  a  high  price.  If 
he  had  nothing  else  to  do  he  planned  and 
fought  battles  with  his  nine  year  old  son,  or 
sampled  wines,  being  an  excellent  judge,  or 
he  practised  the  piano,  which  he  really  played 
like  a  master. 

A  noise  in  the  ante-room  announced  the 
first  guest.  They  heard  a  long  halting  step 
and  a  violent  puffing.  The  door  opened 
and  in  came  Landrat  von  Konradi,  a  portly 
gentleman,  his  aristocratic  nose  surmounted 
by  eye-glasses,  above  which  his  eyes  searched 
for  his  hostess.  His  hair  was  evidently  by 
nature  grey,  but  was  dyed  black;  a  conces- 
sion, spiteful  tongues  declared,  to  the  fair 
sex.  Be  it  added,  the  Herr  Landrat  was  a 
bachelor.  His  ideal  in  life  had  taken  the 
pleasant  shape  of  good  dinners  and  the 
finest  wines,  and  as  both  could  be  found  at 

3 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


the  Captain's  he  was  glad  to  come  ;  he  was 
also  considered  quite  a  gentleman.  Just  as 
he  was  describing  to  his  hostess  with  great 
indignation  how  a  pheasant,  which  he  had 
himself  ordered,  was  sent  to  him  in  a  per- 
fectly uneatable  condition,  the  door  again 
opened,  and  Frau  Rittmeister  Kahle  came 
in.  With  a  slight  graceful  figure  and  a  face 
like  a  naughty  boy's,  she  was  on  the  whole 
very  fetching,  though  there  was  an  eternal 
smile  about  her  rather  large  mouth,  and 
when  she  spoke  her  voice  was  singularly 
harsh  and  shrill. 

She  was  followed  by  three  young  men,  the 
first  of  whom  was  Lieutenant  Pommer.  He 
was  very  much  liked  because  of  his  frank, 
straightforward  manners  ;  if  these  some- 
times made  him  seem  rather  rude,  no  one 
took  offence,  for  all  knew  how  it  was  meant. 
He  greeted  Frau  Kahle  with  especial  cor- 
diality, and  the  contrast  between  the  big 
burly  man  and  the  little  Dresden  China 
figure  was  very  amusing. 

The  second  was  Lieutenant  Miiller. 
Though  one  might  not  know  that  he  was 
the  Adjutant  of  the  regiment,  one  could  not 
but  suspect  it,  for  so  self-satisfied  was  his 
face  and  so  stiff  his  bearing.  He  was  the 
4 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toiv/t 


terror  of  all  hostesses,  for  he  had  an  insati- 
able appetite,  and  he  devoured  with  the 
greatest  equanimity  three  times  as  much  as 
any  ordinary  mortal.  Even  when  his  neigh- 
bours at  table  had  laid  down  their  knives 
and  forks,  he  would  go  on  helping  himself 
for  the  third  time  with  the  interesting  an- 
nouncement that  this  was  something  he 
particularly  liked  to  eat. 

The  last  of  the  three  was  Lieutenant 
Kolberg,  a  strikingly  pale  young  man  with  a 
boldly  turned-up  moustache.  He  led  a  very 
irregular  life  and  boasted  of  an  exceedingly 
dissipated  past. 

While  waiting  for  the  rest  of  the  guests, 
the  company  gathered  in  groups.  Lieuten- 
ant Kolberg  joined  Frau  Kahle  and  meas- 
ured her  approvingly  from  head  to  foot. 
The  Adjutant  inquired  of  Frau  Konig  what 
she  proposed  giving  them  to  eat,  and,  on 
being  told,  assured  her  that  these  were  all 
his  favourite  dishes.  The  Landrat  chatted 
with  the  Rittmeister  about  a  wine-tasting 
trip  they  were  planning  together  for  the 
purpose  of  refilling  their  wine  cellars  with 
new  treasures. 

Again  the  door  opened  and  in  darted  a 
great,  fat  lady,  most  outrageously  powdered, 

5 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


and  whose  badly-fitting  black  and  yellow 
dress  was  made  in  the  worst  possible  taste. 

She  rushed  up  to  Frau  Clara,  squeezed 
her  hand  with  her  round,  fat  fingers,  and 
thanked  her  effusively  for  her  invitation, 
then  turning  to  the  gentlemen  held  her  big, 
fleshy  hand  so  close  under  their  noses  that 
there  was  no  escape  for  them,  and  they 
were  forced  to  imprint  on  it  the  customary 
kiss. 

This  was  Frau  Rittmeister  Stark,  the  bride 
of  the  regiment,  so  to  speak,  though  more 
than  fifty  summers  had  passed  over  her  head. 
She  was  followed  by  an  equally  fat  husband 
who  tripped  in  behind  her.  He  wore  a  black 
"  imperial,"  and  his  little  finger  was  decorated 
by  an  enormously  long  nail,  the  care  of  which 
occupied  much  of  his  leisure  time.  To  judge 
from  his  voice  he  was  not  a  prejudiced  total 
abstainer. 

Behind  this  couple  there  presently  ap- 
peared the  figure  of  the  Commander.  All 
bowed  low,  and  deferentially  made  way  for 
him  to  pass  as  he  strode  towards  Rittmeis- 
ter Konig  and  his  wife.  Colonel  von  Kro- 
nau's  crooked  legs  and  harsh  face  could 
hardly  be  said  to  give  to  him  the  appearance 
of  distinction  which  one  expects  in  the  com- 
6 


Life  in  a  GaiTison  Town 


mander  of  a  regiment ;  in  mufti  he  might 
have  been  mistaken  for  a  small  firmer,  a 
station  with  which  his  language  was  quite  in 
keeping. 

Then,  too,  he  always  had  a  tear  gathering 
in  his  eye,  and  it  was  his  habit  when  it 
reached  a  suitable  size,  with  an  automatic 
shake  of  his  head,  to  flick  it  to  the  feet  or 
on  the  clothes  of  the  person  with  whom  he 
was  talking.  The  lady  who  followed  him 
with  a  forbidding  face  and  an  ill-fitting  grey 
dress,  trimmed  with  a  red  velvet  collar,  was 
his  wife. 

The  rest  of  the  company  now  arrived, 
headed  by  First  Lieutenant  Borgert.  He 
rarely  looked  anyone  whom  he  favoured 
with  his  conversation  straight  in  the  face. 
Though  rather  stout,  his  figure  was  supple 
and  well  made.  Behind  him  stood  First 
Lieutenant  Leimann,  a  small,  rather  mis- 
shapen man,  with  a  pear-shaped  head  wedged 
in  between  two  high  shoulders.  His  little 
pig's  eyes  glanced  furtively  about  or  were 
so  contracted  together  that  they  quite  dis- 
appeared from  view.  The  single  eye-glass, 
which  swung  from  a  cord,  he  did  not  dare 
to  use  for  fear  of  making  himself  ridiculous. 

These  two  gentlemen  lived   in  the  same 

7 


Life  ill  a  GarriHon  Town 


house  and  were  very  intimate,  and  the  fact 
of  both  being  perennially  and  chronically 
hard  up  was  possibly  the  bond  of  sympathy, 
though  it  must  be  confessed  that  it  did  not 
prevent  their  gratifying  every  whim ;  and, 
indeed,  they  lived  as  if  heirs  to  great  riches. 

"  I  hope  you  will  excuse  my  wife,  gnadige 
Frau,"  Leimann  said  to  Frau  Konig,  "  but 
she  is  suffering  from  her  usual  trouble,  a 
nervous  headache."  As  he  said  this,  he 
looked  as  if  he  doubted  his  own  excuse. 
"  Of  course  she  will  come  later  on  as  soon 
as  she  feels  better." 

"  I  am  so  sorry,"  Frau  Clara  answered 
pleasantly,  "  and  I  hope  the  headache  will 
not  last  long.  I  shall  be  so  glad  to  see  your 
wife." 

Now  that  little  Lieutenant  Bleibtreu,  the 
closest  friend  of  the  family  and  the  only  sub- 
altern who  belonged  to  Rittmeister  Konig's 
squadron,  had  also  arrived,  dinner  was  an- 
nounced, and  the  guests  passed  into  the 
dining-room,  and  sat  down  at  the  prettily 
decorated  table. 

The  silence  was  at  first  rather  oppressive, 
but  no  sooner  were  the  plates  filled  than 
conversation  became  more  animated. 

"The  weather  has  been  so  beautiful  these 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


last  days  that  we  really  can  soon  begin  ten- 
nis," said  the  wife  of  Colonel  von   Kronau. 

"Certainly,"  replied  the  Colonel,  his 
mouth  full  ;  "  1  shall  call  a  meeting  of  the 
Club  next  week,  and  then  we  can  go 
ahead." 

"How  perfectly  delightful!"  Frau  Stark 
cried  in  ecstasy.  "  I  adore  tennis  !  I  do 
hope  you  all  do  !  You  used  to  be  so  keen 
about  it,  dear  little  Frau  Kahle.  What  do 
you   think,  Frau  Konig  ?  " 

"  I  let  it  alone;  it  doesn't  suit  me." 

"  And  your  husband  ?  " 

"  I  never  play  tennis,"  the  Rittmeister 
replied ;  "  I  don't  understand  the  game,  but 
I  rather  like  to  look  on  when  the  women 
who  play  are  graceful." 

Frau  Stark's  lips  came  together  with  a 
snap,  and  she  glanced  furiously  across  at  the 
Captain.  What  did  he  mean  by  his  "  graceful 
women  "  ?  Was  it  an  impertinent  allusion  to 
her?  It  really  served  her  right,  for  it  was 
perfectly  ridiculous  to  see  how  this  elderly 
person  put  on  the  airs  and  graces  of  a  young 
girl.  In  her  old  age  she  had  even  mounted 
an  old  regimental  hack  in  order  to  learn  to 
ride  because  the  other  ladies  did. 

"  I    dare  say  a  good    many   civilians   will 

9 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


join,"  the  Colonel  continued.     "  I  will  send 
the  list  round." 

The  guests  looked  incredulously  at  each 
other,  for  the  Colonel  was  on  the  worst 
conceivable  terms  with  the  civilians  for  many 
reasons,  and  was  always  avoided  by  them  on 
every  possible  occasion. 

"  I'll  join,"  Landrat  von  Konradi  inter- 
posed, "unless  it  gets  too  hot.  But  I  can't 
play  next  week.  I  have  no  time.  I  must 
stick  my  peas,  or  it  will  be  too  late." 

"  To  be  sure,"  Rittmeister  Konig  ac- 
quiesced, "  or  they  will  not  ripen." 

"  What !  Peas  won't  ripen  ?  Peas  always 
ripen  if  they  are  properly  planted,"  the 
Colonel's  wife  retorted  in  some  heat. 

"  But,  dear  lady,  you  can't  be  positively 
sure.  So  many  things  have  to  be  taken  into 
account." 

"  No,  not  at  all,  Herr  Rittmeister.  I  have 
a  method  by  which  they  always  must  ripen." 

"  I  shall  be  curious  to  know  what  it  is,  for 
last  year  nearly  all  my  peas  were  spoilt." 

"  They  have  to  be  planted  by  moonshine, 
and  not  a  word  must  be  spoken ;  then  they 
always  do  well.      Mine  do.      I  am   not  a  bit 

superstitious,  but  you  can  believe  what  I  tell 

>> 
you. 

lO 


Life  ill  (I  CrdTiison  Town 


When  the  Colonel's  wife  made  an  assertion 
it  took  some  courage  to  contradict  her,  but 
Lieutenant  Bleibtreu  ventured  to  say  with  a 
smile  : 

"  I  suppose,  then,  if  someone  were  to 
plant  pork  in  between  in  the  sunshine,  the 
result  would  be  pork  and  peas." 

"  You  think  yourself  very  clever,  Lieu- 
tenant Bleibtreu,  and  you  can  make  all  the 
fun  you  please,  but  it  is  true  all  the  same," 
the  Colonel's  wife  retorted  spitefully.  "Be- 
sides, I  have  no  time  next  week,  for  my 
pates  de  fois  gras  are  not  done." 

"You  cook  them  yourself,  do  you?  "  the 
Adjutant  asked,  deeply  interested. 

"Of  course.  I  always  put  up  six  jars.  My 
husband  simply  adores  the  stuff." 

"  From  whom  do  you  buy  your  truffles  .''  I 
am  myself  trying  to  find  a  reliable  source." 

"  What —  truffles  !  It  tastes  just  as  good 
without  truffles.      That  is  only  imagination." 

"  But,  dear  lady,  the  truffles  are  the  most 
important  part  of  all." 

"  Nonsense  !      I  never  use  truffles." 

"Goose  livers,"  Lieutenant  Bleibtreu  inter- 
posed banteringly,  "  should  be  cooked  during 
an  eclipse  of  the   moon,  and  that  will  turn 
them  a  beautiful  brown." 
II 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


"  You  may  laugh  if  you  wish,  but  it  is  true 
all  the  same." 

And  so  it  seemed,  for  no  one  ventured  on 
further  contradiction.  But  the  Colonel's  wife 
had  to  put  a  curb  on  her  eloquence,  for  all 
now  rose  to  greet  the  wife  of  Lieutenant 
Leimann.  She  stood  in  the  doorway  of  the 
dining-room,  an  enchanting  smile  on  her  fresh 
young  face. 

"  You  must  not  be  angry,  Frau  Konig. 
I  really  did  have  such  important  letters  to 
write.      But  do,  pray,  all  be  seated  again." 

"  We  thought  you  had  a  headache,"  every- 
body exclaimed. 

"Headache.''  Of  course  —  so  I  had.  But 
one  forgets  when  one  has  them  so  often." 

She  was  very  young,  only  twenty-five,  and 
very  beautiful,  and  she  was  dressed  in  ex- 
quisite taste.  She  seated  herself  opposite 
Lieutenant  Borgert. 

Conversation  now  became  more  general ; 
everybody  talked  and  did  justice  to  the  good 
things  set  before  them,  especially  to  Labskaus, 
a  dish  of  stewed  tripe,  for  which  Frau  Clara's 
cook  was  famous. 

The  Adjutant  had  only  opened  his  mouth 
to  stuff  in  huge  lumps,  and  an  occasional 
unintelligible  grunt  testified  to  his  complete 

12 


I-iiJc  in  a  Garri.sou  Toxvii 


satisfaction.  He  was  still  eating  when  the 
hostess  finally  rose.  There  was  a  general 
wishing  of  "  Gesegnete  Mahheit^'  and  then 
everybody  strolled  into  the  adjoining  rooms, 
where  coffee  was  served  to  the  ladies,  and 
liqueurs,  beer  and  cigars  to  the  gentlemen. 

The  guests  again  gathered  in  groups,  and 
the  Colonel  seemed  to  think  the  occasion 
favourable  for  an  official  discussion  with  his 
adjutant.  He  thereupon  strolled  into  the 
next  room,  where  he  engaged  in  a  very 
animated  conversation  with  Frau  Stark,  but, 
as  it  was  carried  on  in  rather  low  tones,  only 
an  occasional  sentence  could  reach  Lieutenant 
Borgert's  ears,  who  was  listening. 

"You  must  succeed!"  he  heard  the  lady 
whisper. 

"  I  hope  the  inspection  will  prove  satis- 
factory," the  Colonel  replied,  "  but  since  last 
time  the  inspecting  officers  are  on  the  look- 
out for  your  husband ;  they  began  in  the 
stables  by  being  dissatisfied  with  the  condi- 
tion of  the  straw." 

"  1  go  through  the  stable  every  morning, 
and  I  tell  you  I  make  'em  step  lively  there  ! 
But  of  course  I  can't  help  it  if  my  husband 
loses  his  head  during  inspection.  Last  time 
I    watched  the  whole   thing    through    field- 

13 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


glasses,  and  all  went  well  to  almost  the  end, 
when  the  line  broke  in  wheeling.  Besides, 
he  gave  the  wrong  word  of  command." 

"  Well,  we  will  hope  for  the  best !  But, 
you  see,  if  one  wishes  to  become  a  Major, 
it  means  redoubled  attention  and  care,  for 
if  anything  goes  wrong,  one's  superiors  are 
down  on  one  at  once." 

"  I  don't  care.  Colonel ;  my  husband  has 
got  to  be  made  a  Major,  and  if  you  drop 
us  —  why " 

"  There,  don't  worry,  dear  lady  !  With- 
out any  justification  whatever  I  have  written 
him  a  good  conduct  report,  which  is  sim- 
ply brilliant.  So  you  see  I  am  doing  my 
best." 

"  But  you  owe  me  that.  Colonel,  for  with- 
out me  you  might  not  be  —  never  mind,  but 
you  know." 

Here  Captain  Konig  came  towards  them. 

"  Shall  you  join  our  wine-sampling  trip 
down  the  Moselle  next  week.  Colonel  .^ 
Landrat  von  Konradi  is  going,  and  I  hear 
that  some  wonderful  vintages  are  to  be  for 
sale." 

"  Of  course,  my  dear  Konig,  you  know 
I  am  always  ready  for  anything  of  the 
kind.  Besides,  I  enjoy  a  wine  trip  with 
14 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


you ;  you  have  proved  to-night,  not  for 
the  first  time,  that  you  are  indeed  a  con- 
noisseur." 

"  Really,  you  are  too  flattering,  Herr 
Oberst !  But  I  see  you  are  not  smoking. 
You  will  find  everything  you  need  in  my 
room." 

The  Colonel  strolled  into  the  next  room, 
where  Frau  Kahle  and  Lieutenant  Pommer 
were  chatting  in  one  corner,  while  several 
young  men  surrounded  Frau  Konig  in 
another. 

Just  then  Lieutenant  Leimann  came  in 
from  the  dining-room  followed  by  his  wife, 
whose  sulky  face  brightened  as  Lieutenant 
Borgert  approached  her  and  engaged  her  in 
conversation, 

"  What  domestic  afl^airs  have  been  bother- 
ing you  now,  dear  lady  ?  " 

"Me?  Nothing  of  the  kind,  only  my 
husband  has  been  rather  abusive  for  a 
change.  You  know  his  ill-bred  way  of 
becoming  insulting  all   at  once." 

"What  is  the  matter  now?  I  should 
have  thought  the  quarrel  of  this  afternoon 
might  have  been  sufficient." 

"He  is  furious  now  because  I  said  I  had 
to  write  letters  after  he  gave  as  excuse  that 

15 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


I  had  a  headache.     I   am  sick  to  death  of 
these  eternal  quarrels." 

"  Sufficient  ground  that  for  divorce,  gna- 
dige  Frau,"  Lieutenant  Borgert  replied, 
laughing.  "  Choose  another  husband,  if  this 
one  doesn't  suit  you." 

"  It's  easy  enough  to  make  fun,  but  you 
don't  know  how  I  sometimes  loathe  it 
all." 

"  So  much  the  better,  gnadige  Frau. 
Choose  among  the  noblest  of  the  land. 
Possibly  I   might  suggest  someone." 

"  Fire  away,  then  !  "  Frau  Leimann  cried, 
with  a  roguish  upward  glance. 

"  Well,  I  know  someone.  What  would 
you  say  to  me  ?  " 

"It's  worth  considering;  but  first,  what 
have  you  to  offer  ? " 

"  Let  us  sit  down  and  discuss  this  very 
serious  matter,"  Borgert  answered,  laughing, 
and  led  the  way  to  a  sofa. 

"  Now,  listen.  I  offer  you  a  noble  estab- 
lishment, horses  and  carriages,  a  villa  on  the 
lake  of  Zurich  and  an  army  of  servants." 

"  And  who  is  to  pay  for  all  this  ?  " 

"  Pay  ?     Why,  who  pays  nowadays  ?     It's 
quite  out  of  fashion  and  bad  form;  it  is  the 
way  in  which  people  squander  most  of  their 
i6 


Ij'ifc  in  a  Gan'iso/i  Town 

money.  I  never  pay,  and  yet  I  gratify 
every  wish." 

"That  is  all  very  delightful,"  Frau  Lei- 
mann  laughed ;  "  but  you  see  there  is  — 
my   husband." 

"  To  be  sure  he  is  still  yours,  but  in  the 
meantime  you  might  get  accustomed  to  me." 

Frau  Leimann  nodded  and  smiled,  then, 
with  her  head  in  her  hand,  stared  dreamily 
at  the  carpet. 

Borgert  too  had  suddenly  grown  grave, 
and  the  other  guests  having  left  the  room, 
his  eyes  sought  hers. 

"  Why  do  you  look  at  me  so,  Herr 
Borgert  ?     You  frighten  me." 

"  I  think  so  many  things  that  I  have  no 
right  to  speak  of,  gnadige  Frau.  A  great 
many  true  things  are  said  in  jest  and  for  that 
very  reason  strike  deeper." 

"You  speak  in  riddles,  my  friend.  I 
think  we  had  better  change  the  subject. 
Suppose  we  follow  the  others.  There'll  be 
talk  if  they  find  us  sitting  alone." 

She  rose,  and  as  Borgert  hurriedly  raised 
her  hand  to  kiss  it  she  made  no  effort  to 
draw  it  away,  and  her  face  was  as  innocent 
and  unconscious  as  that  of  a  child,  when  she 
entered  the  music-room.      Borgert  did  not 

2  ly 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


follow  her.  He  remained  behind  and  in 
the  dim  light  took  a  letter  out  of  his  coat 
pocket  and  read  it.  Then  with  a  suppressed 
oath  he  thrust  it  back  and  sat  there  lost  in 
thought. 

In  the  meantime  the  next  room  had  be- 
come very  lively.  The  sound  of  fiddles, 
the  deep  tuning  of  a  violoncello,  and  a  few 
chords  from  the  piano  summoned  all  the 
guests  together,  for  now  the  musical  part  of 
the  evening  was  about  to  begin.  Rittmeister 
Konig  sat  at  the  harmonium,  while  his  wife 
accompanied  him  on  the  piano.  Landrat 
von  Konradi  and  Lieutenant  Leimann  stood 
ready,  their  violins  under  their  chins,  while 
Lieutenant  Bleibtreu,  with  his  'cello  between 
his  knees,  had  retired  into  the  background. 

The  listeners,  on  big  and  little  chairs, 
gathered  about  the  fireplace  and  the  table, 
which  was  covered  with  beer  glasses,  and 
there  waited  with  an  air  of  expectation. 

The  music  began :  a  trio  of  Reinhardt. 
It  sounded  very  well,  for  they  had  all  prac- 
tised most  industriously,  and  the  effect  was 
pleasant.  To  be  sure  the  Landrat  had  a 
little  habit  of  balancing  himself  first  on  one 
foot  and  then  on  the  other  in  time  to  his 
bowing,  and  he  also  accompanied  his  per- 
i8 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Town 


formance  by  rather  disturbing  grunts.  Lei- 
mann,  too,  belonged  to  the  class  of  artists 
whom  it  is  really  painful  to  watch  for  fear  of 
spoiling  one's  pleasure,  for  his  head  had 
quite  disappeared  between  his  shoulders 
and  his  doubled-up  figure  looked  more  than 
ever  mis-shapen.  The  violoncellist  occasion- 
ally struck  a  few  false  notes,  but  to  make  up 
for  this  he  always  played  the  next  following 
bars  with  redoubled  vigour  to  prove  that,  in 
spite  of  accidents,  he  was  the  master  of  his 
instrument.  The  trio  was  followed  by  solos 
for  each  violinist,  and  these  by  a  rhapsody 
of  Liszt,  splendidly  performed  by  Rittmeister 
Konig  and  his  wife.  There  was  a  chorus  of 
approval  at  the  end  and  everybody  tried  to 
show  how  much  they  knew  about  music  by 
being  very  critical. 

"  My  dear  Lieutenant  Bleibtreu,"  Frau 
Stark  cried,  "  you  really  must  give  me  some 
violoncello  lessons.  I  used  to  play  when  I 
was  young,  but  I  am  afraid  I  have  forgotten 
it  all  now." 

No  one  doubted  for  an  instant  that  it  was 
a  good  long  time  since  the  days  of  her  youth, 
and  Konig  whispered  to  Bleibtreu  that  her 
fat  fingers  would  never  be  able  to  produce  a 
tone. 

19 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


In  the  meantime  Borgert  had  strolled 
towards  the  entrance  of  the  room  and  from 
there  he  looked  at  his  fellow-guests  with  an 
expression  of  unutterable  boredom.  Occa- 
sionally he  turned  a  watchful  glance  on  Frau 
Leimann,  who,  sunk  in  a  low  deep  arm-chair, 
was  staring  before  her  with  dreamy,  half- 
closed  eyes. 

The  artists  having  now  joined  the  other 
guests  at  the  table,  conversation  started 
afresh,  but  about  ordinary,  everyday  matters, 
in  which  Frau  von  Kronau  took  the  leading 
part,  for  she  was  an  intolerable  chatterbox. 

The  time  passed  very  quickly  ;  but  when 
the  clock  pointed  to  half-past  ten  the 
Colonel  looked  with  conjugal  emphasis  at 
his  wife,  who  nodded,  rose,  and  turned  to 
her  hostess. 

"  Dear  Frau  Konig,  it  was  lovely  of  you 
to  give  us  such  a  delightful  evening ;  but  it 
is  so  late,  we  really  must  go.  Thank  you 
so  much,"  and  she  shook  Frau  Konig's 
hand. 

"  Going  already  ?  But  it  is  not  eleven 
o'clock  yet.  You  really  might  stay  a 
moment   longer." 

However,  as  soon  as  Frau  Konig  saw  the 
Colonel,  the  Starks  and  the  Landrat  taking 
20 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


leave  of  the  other  guests,  she  gave  up  all 
further  entreaty,  glad,  in  her  heart,  to  have 
only  a  small  circle  left  about  her  with  whom 
conversation  might  be  carried  on  without 
weighing  every  word  for  fear  the  Colonel 
would  not  approve,  the  possible  result  of 
which  might  be  a  sharp  official  reprimand 
the  next  day.  The  Colonel  was  rather 
notorious  for  this. 

As  soon  as  the  guests  had  left  the  house, 
those  who  remained  drew  their  chairs  closer 
together  and  fresh  glasses  of  beer  were 
passed. 

Borgert  was  the  first  to  break  the  silence. 

"  Did  you  notice  how  that  Stark  woman 
whispered  to  the  Colonel?  She  ought  to 
leave  her  bad  manners  at  home,  where  I 
hear  they  are  not  very  particular.  Imagine  ! 
I  was  there  the  other  day  just  as  Stark  flung 
a  slipper  at  her.  She  had  come  in  to  receive 
me  in  a  very  dirty  house-dress." 

"  That  is  nothing,"  Leimann  interrupted. 
"  They  were  having  one  of  their  usual  rows 
before  me  when  the  old  fathead  shut  her  up 
with  '  Hold  your  jaw.'  " 

"  It  would  appear  that  their  ways  are  not 
the  ways  of  peace,"  the  Adjutant  added. 
"  Day    before    yesterday    Stark    got    rather 

21 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Town 


drunk  at  the  '  White  Swan/  and  by  the  time 
he  was  well  fuddled  his  wife  came  in,  kicked 
up  a  row  and  carried  him  off,  while  every- 
body roared  with  laughter.  I  don't  believe 
they  kissed  each  other  when  they  got 
home." 

"That  happens  often  enough,"  another 
chimed  in.  "  She  fetches  him  home  from 
the  casino  to  dinner,  and  calls  him  a  *  beast ' 
before  the  orderly." 

"  Ah,  well,"  said  Konig,  "  she  is  taking  the 
best  of  care  of  her  husband,  for  he  wants  to 
become  a  Major  or,  rather,  she  wishes  to 
become  Major." 

"  But  that  is  perfectly  impossible,"  Borgert 
cried  indignantly  ;  "  if  this  incompetent  ass 
becomes  Major  I  ought  to  be  made  a  general. 
But  every  one  can  see  that  the  Colonel  is 
doing  all  in  his  power  for  him." 

"He  has  a  mighty  good  reason  for  that," 
Leimann  said  with  emphasis. 

"  What  reason  ?  " 

"  Don't  you  know  the  story  ?  Why, 
the  very  sparrows  twitter  it  on  the  house- 
tops. 

"  No,  do  tell  us,  this  is  really  wildly 
interesting,"  and  Borgert  rubbed  his  hands 
and  moved  his  chair  closer  to  his  friend. 

22 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"  Last  year,  it  seems,  the  Colonel,  with  his 
usual  notorious  want  of  tact,  very  grossly 
insulted  a  civilian.  The  latter  at  once  sent 
him  a  challenge.  Now  the  good  Colonel 
did  not  enjoy  that  at  all,  for  though  he  is 
very  ready  with  his  tongue,  as  you  know, 
when  there  is  any  risk  his  heart  sinks  down 
into  his  boots.  So  the  result  was  that  his 
dear  friend,  the  Stark  woman,  goes  to  this 
gentleman  and  tells  him  that  she  alone  is  to 
blame  for  the  insult  because  she  had  told  a 
lie.  In  this  way  she  saved  the  Colonel's  life, 
for  the  other  man  is  a  dead  shot.  And  now 
she  has  him  well  under  her  thumb,  and 
when  she  commands  he  obeys  her  like  a 
lap-dog." 

"  That  is  glorious,"  cried  Borgert.  "  Do 
you  know  any  more  stories  ?  It's  high 
time  that  we  got  rid  of  these  arrogant  crea- 
tures !  He  has  the  manners  of  a  stable-boy 
and  she  of  a  washer-woman.  1  mean  to  be 
on  the  watch  to  see  what  I  can  find  out. 
It's  a  shame  that  we  have  to  stand  this 
woman." 

"  She  is  also  said  to  have  been  on  very 
intimate  terms  with  some  nobleman  or  other, 
at  least  so  the  story  goes." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  " 

23 


LiJ'c  in  a  Gamson  Town 


"  My  man  told  me  the  other  day.  He  is 
from  her  part  of  the  country." 

"  Just  think  of  it  !  I  shall  really  have  to 
make  inquiries  myself,  for  of  course  she 
isn't  worth  paying  a  detective  to  do  so  ! 
The  .  .  .  !  Well,  the  word  on  my  tongue 
is  not  permissible  in  polite  circles." 

"  But  I  am  surprised  that  she  has  the 
cheek  to  give  herself  such  airs,  considering 
her  antecedents." 

"  That's  just  her  way,"  Miiller  interposed 
with  some  importance. 

"And  her  carriage  —  such  a  story.  She 
picked  up  the  frightful  old  thing  somewhere, 
put  her  man  up  behind  in  top  hat  and  yel- 
low boots,  borrowed  two  old  regimental 
hacks,  and  then  drives  herself,  for  our  edi- 
fication. You  should  see  the  springs  give 
when  the  fat  old  thing  sits  there.  The 
Colonel,  of  course,  never  dares  to  say  a 
word  even  when  she  borrows  a  troop  horse 
every  day,  though  it  is  distinctly  forbidden 
by  the  regulations.  If  any  one  else  takes  a 
liberty  he  is  in  for  three  days  arrest  and  the 
Colonel  thinks  himself  immense.  He  is  a 
weak  vessel,  the  Colonel,  and  he  lies  like 
print. 

"  He  told  a  man  I  know  how  popular  he 
24 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


is  with  the  civilians,  and  how  his  tennis- 
court  is  always  crowded.  The  truth  is,  he 
nearly  always  plays  alone,  for  these  people 
all  steer  clear  of  him   if  they   can. 

"  I  bet  that  the  Colonel  will  join  a  service 
conference  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  tennis 
club  committee,  and  so  we  shall  all  be  caught 
in  the  trap." 

During  this  conversation,  Frau  Leimann 
listened  with  sparkling  eyes  as  Lieutenant 
Borgert  picked  to  pieces  the  Colonel  and 
the  Starks  in  his  usual  spirited  way,  while 
Captain  Konig  pulled  thoughtfully  at  his 
cigar  and  smothered  a  yawn,  and  his  wife, 
lost  in  thought,  played  absently  with  a  tassel 
of  the  table-cloth. 

"  Why  so  serious,  dear  lady  ?  "  and  Borgert 
turned  to  her. 

"  I  was  wondering  how  you  would  talk 
about  us  if  some  day  we  should  cease  to  be 
on  good  terms,"  she  said  with  a  smile. 

"  But,  gnadige  Frau,  how  can  you  so  doubt 
my  good  manners !  Have  you  no  confidence 
in  me?     Besides,  how  could  I " 

He  interrupted  himself,  for  Frau  Kahle 
had  risen  to  take  leave,  and  with  her  Lieu- 
tenant   Pommer,   whom    she   had   asked    to 

25 


Life  in  a  Ga?y^i.w?i  Town 


escort  her  as  far  as  her  house,  since  her 
husband  was  away  on  duty. 

So  the  circle  again  grew  smaller,  and,  as 
they  sat  down  at  the  table,  Borgert  re- 
marked : 

"  One  might  really  offer  a  new  dress  to 
this  Kahle,  with  her  cobbler  boy's  face.  She 
never  seems  to  have  anything  else  to  wear 
but  that  washed-out  old  rag." 

"You  should  see  her  in  her  own  house," 
Miiller  said  with  great  scorn  ;  "  there  she 
looks  like  a  drab  of  a  servant.  She  doesn't 
even  seem  to  have  time  to  mend  her  dirty 
house-dress,  and  her  boy  tears  about  like  a 
regular  gutter-snipe  out  of  the  slums.  Be- 
sides that,  the  rascal  can  already  lie  like 
fun !  " 

"  An  inheritance  from  his  mother,"  Bor- 
gert laughed,  but  a  cold  and  reproachful 
glance  from   Frau   Konig  silenced  him. 

So  the  conversation  gradually  dropped  off. 
The  Captain  yawned  with  more  emphasis, 
and  Lieutenant  Leimann,  all  in  a  heap  in 
an  armchair,  could  only  keep  his  eyes  open 
with  the  greatest  difficulty,  while  his  wife 
was  so  unfeignedly  bored  that  her  face  lost 
all  its  charm  and  beauty  and  she  looked  old 
and  haggard.  Miiller  was  still  occupied  in 
26 


Ijif'c  in  a  Qarri.son  Town 


digesting,  and  so  it  really  did  seem  time  to 
go  home. 

Amid  lively  expressions  of  gratitude  for 
the  delightful  evening,  they  all  separated, 
and  Captain  Konig  accompanied  his  guests 
downstairs  so  as  to  bolt  the  front  door  after 
them. 

When  he  returned  to  the  sitting-room,  he 
said  to  Frau  Clara  as  he  put  out  the  gas, 
"A  very  interesting  evening;  but  it  would 
be  well  to  beware  of  those  two  gentlemen." 


27 


Chapter   II 

"  "■"  "T  ERE,  you,  Corporal  Meyer,  please 
I  I  to  clear  away  the  manure ;  it's 
-^  -^  a  disgraceful  filth  !  What,  the 
stable  guard  isn't  here  ?  Then  do  it  your- 
self. It  won't  make  you  lose  a  pearl  out  of 
your  crown  !  Hurry  up,  you  !  Then  bring 
me  the  parole-book." 

"  At  your  service,  gnadige  Frau." 
Frau  Rittmeister  Stark  strode  up  and 
down  the  stable,  followed  by  two  huge  rough 
dogs.  She  wore  a  very  dirty,  ill-fitting  grey 
riding  habit  and  a  round  hat.  In  her  right 
hand  she  held  a  riding-whip,  with  which, 
every  now  and  then,  she  gave  a  vicious  cut 
at  the  air,  which  made  the  dogs  creep  behind 
her  in  terror. 

She  examined  everything  with  sharp  eyes, 
the  straw,  the  slates  with  the  horse's  name 
over  each  stall,  and  carefully  studied  the 
black  board  on  which  the  day's  duties  were 
written  in  chalk. 

She  paused  behind  two  horses,  the  only 
ones   left    in    the    stable,    and    looked    with 
angry  eyes  at  the  lean,  badly-groomed  beasts 
28 


IJJ'c  ill  a  Garrison  Town 


whose  scraggy  hips  formed  a  sharp   triangle 
with  their  cruppers. 

She  raised  the  hind  foot  of  one  gelding, 
took  a  note-book  out  of  her  pocket  and 
wrote  :  "  Remus  No.  37  thrush,  near  fore- 
foot needs  shoeing."  Whereupon  she 
climbed  the  ladder  to  the  hay-loft.  There 
lay  two  of  the  stable-guard  sleeping  sweetly, 
quite  unconscious  of  the  presence  of  the 
mother  of  the  regiment.  She  bore  down  on 
the  frightened  men  in  a  fury. 

"  You  idle  curs !  Go  to  work,  or  I'll 
make  it  hot  for  you,  you  lazy  scoun- 
drels ! "  and  they  flew  to  the  chaff-cutter 
as  if  the  devil  himself  were  behind  them. 
Then  she  went  down  again  to  meet  Corporal 
Meyer,  who  hurried  towards  her  breath- 
lessly, holding  out  the  parole-book. 

"Hold  it  while  I  read,  if  you  please;  you 
don't  suppose  I  want  to  dirty  my  hands  with 
the  filthy  cover?  I  see  to-morrow  is  in- 
spection of  the  saddlery.  Is  everything  in 
order  ?  " 

"  I  will  ask  the  Sergeant- Major." 

"  Hurry  up,  then  !      Fetch  him  !      Run  !  " 

The    Sergeant-Major    was    anything    but 

pleased  to  have  his  leisure  disturbed,  for  the 

time  when    the  squadron    was   out    drilling 

29 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Tovcn 


was  for  him  the  pleasantest  part  of  the  day. 
He  was  sitting  opposite  his  wife  drinking  a 
cup  of  coffee  and  comfortably  smoking  his 
morning  cigar  as  Meyer  delivered  Frau 
Stark's  command.  He  stamped  his  foot 
and  he  howled  with  rage. 

"  What  does  the  old  woman  mean  !  Upon 
my  word,  she  acts  as  if  she  were  in  com- 
mand !  It's  scandalous  to  have  to  stand  it, 
but  if  one  don't  there'll  be  the  devil  to  pay 
with  the  Colonel;   he  dances  to  her  piping  !  " 

He  sullenly  buckled  on  his  sword,  flung 
his  cap  on  his  bald  head,  went  grumbling 
downstairs,  and  lounged  slowly  across  the 
barrack  yard  and  confronted  Frau  Stark 
with  a  face  on  which  was  distinctly  written  : 
"  You  can  go  to  the  devil  !  " 

She  pounced  on  him  at  once. 

"Is  everything  ready  for  to-morrow, 
Sergeant- Major  ?  " 

"  I  think  so,  but  I'll  see  about  it  again 
to-night." 

"What  —  to-night?  It  is  to  be  done  at 
once;  I'll  soon  put  an  end  to  your  loafing! 
Besides,  if  you  don't  change  your  grumpy 
tones,  I'll  report  you  to  the  Colonel !  Now 
fetch  my  horse  !  " 

"  It  has  been  sent  out  for  forage ;  all   the 

30 


Life  in  a  Garriscm  Town 


horses  have  gone  except  these  two  lame 
ones." 

"My  horse  sent  out  for  forage  ?  This  is 
a  new  form  of  impertinence  !  Send  for  it  at 
once,  it  won't  hurt  one  of  the  corporals  to 
walk  !  " 

At  the  sounds  of  footsteps  she  turned, 
and,  seeing  Lieutenant  Borgert,  called  to 
him  in  the  sweetest  tones. 

"Surely,  I  am  not  mistaken,  dear  Lieu- 
tenant Borgert  —  it  is  you!  How  early 
you  are  on  duty  !  I  only  came  to  bring  my 
husband's  horses  some  sugar,  but  they've 
already  gone;  my  dear  husband  always 
starts  so  frightfully  early  in  the  morning," 

"  I  really  admire  the  interest  you  take  in 
the  squadron,  gnadige  Frau,  and  especially 
the  way  in  which  you  give  your  orders  in  the 
stable." 

"  Orders  ?  I  don't  give  any  orders.  I 
only  come  once  in  a  while  to  give  the 
Sergeant-Major  any  instructions  my  hus- 
band may  have  forgotten.  Still,  one  must 
take  an  interest  in  one's  squadron." 

"  I  see  you  are  your  husband's  corporal, 
dear  ladv,  but  a  corporal  who  commands 
the  regiment.  I  congratulate  you  on  your 
advancement !  " 

31 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


"  Oh,  you  funny  man  !  How  you  do 
love  a  joke  !  Shall  we  see  you  at  the  casino 
to-night  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  gnadige  Frau,  for  the  Colonel 
has  already  ordered  a  service  conference  at 
five." 

"  To  be  sure  —  I  had  nearly  forgotten. 
But  that  will  not  take  long ;  there  are  only 
a  few  unimportant  matters." 

"  Then  you  know " 

"Of  course.  One  can't  help  being  in- 
terested. I  have  brought  several  things  to 
the  Colonel's  attention,  which  he  may  wish 
to  discuss." 

"  I  wonder  what  they  can  be  !  But  there 
is  Captain  Konig ;  I  must  speak  to  him. 
Good  morning." 

"  Adieu,  dear  Borgert,  and  au  revoir  "  — 
and  she  held  up  her  hand  to  his  mouth,  in 
a  dirty  old  riding-glove  of  her  husband's. 

As  Frau  Stark  again  turned  to  the 
Sergeant- Major,  Borgert  hurried  after  the 
Captain,  who  had  just  gone  into  the  yard  of 
the  3rd  Squadron. 

"  Good  morning,  Herr  Rittmeister  !      Do 
forgive  me  for  troubling  you,  but  a  matter 
of  the  most  vital  importance  compels  me  to 
ask  a  favour  of  you." 
32 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"  Well,  what  is  it  ? "  the  Captain  de- 
manded in  some  surprise.  "  Is  it  really  so 
important  ?  " 

"  I  am  sure  that  the  Colonel  will  speak 
of  the  casino  bills  this  afternoon,  and  it 
would  be  extremely  painful  for  me  should 
he  mention  my  name  before  the  junior 
officers." 

"  But  I  cannot  give  you  the  money  now  ; 
it  was  hard  enough  to  scrape  together  the 
one  hundred  marks  that  I  gave  you  last 
week." 

"  But  if,  in  spite  of  that,  I  urgently  repeat 
my  request,  it  is  because  I  am  in  a  very 
unfortunate  position.  If  I  cannot  get  four 
hundred  marks  by  to-night  it  will  be  most 
annoying  for  me,  and  the  consequences  may 
be  terrible." 

"That  is  all  very  well  and  good"  —  and 
Konig  shrugged  his  shoulders;  "but  I  have 
no  money." 

For  a  moment  they  looked  at  each  other 
in  silence,  then  Borgert  spoke,  but  with  some 
hesitation  : 

"  Might  I  be  permitted  to  offer  a  sugges- 
tion, Herr  Rittmeister  ?  " 

"  And  what  may  that  be  ?  " 

"  I  beg  you  not  to  misunderstand  what  I 

3  33 


Life  in  a  Gai'iison  Town 


am  about  to  say.  Could  you  not  make  use 
of  the  money  in  the  squadron  cash-box, 
seeing  it  is  only  for  a  short  time?" 

*'  But  in  Heaven's  name,  my  dear  fellow, 
what  do  you  take  me  for?  You  don't 
expect  me  to  embezzle  the  money  in  the 
cash-box?  " 

"  But  surely  there  would  be  no  harm  in  it, 
Herr  Rittmeister,  for  you  alone  have  control 
of  it,  and  it  is  no  question  of  stealing,  but 
simply  of  borrowing  a  sum  that  will  be  re- 
paid almost  at  once  ?  " 

"  No,  no  ;  I  really  cannot." 

"  Then  there  is  nothing  left  for  me  to  do  !  " 
Borgert  cried  in  despair. 

Konig,  lost  in  thought,  twisted  his  mous- 
tache. It  might  be  wise  to  put  this  man 
under  an  obligation  to  himself.  He  had  a 
crafty  dangerous  tongue,  and  his  unbounded 
influence  over  the  junior  officers  might  be 
very  harmful  if  it  came  to  a  quarrel.  The 
beggarly  four  hundred  marks  were  lying  idle 
in  his  desk  at  home,  so  he  could  easily  give 
them.  But  if  Borgert  could  be  made  to 
believe  that  the  money  had  been  taken  out 
of  the  regiment's  cash-box,  then  the  chances 
were  that  he  would  not  borrow  again  for  a 
time  in  face  of  the  dangers  and  disreputable 
34 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


means  taken  to  grant  his  request.  So 
Captain  Konig  decided  to  lend  Borgcrt  the 
money  out  of  his  own  pocket,  but  to  let  him 
believe  it  had  been  given  him  out  of  the 
squadron  funds. 

"  Very  well,"  he  said  after  a  pause,  "  you 
shall  have  the  money.  By  when  will  you 
be  sure  to  repay  it?" 

"In  ten  days  all  will  be  plain  sailing. 
My  word  on  it." 

"  Good.  Then  you  can  come  to  the 
office  this  afternoon." 

"My  most  grateful  thanks,  Herr  Ritt- 
meister." 

"  Never  mind,  never  mind ;  but  I  hope 
this  will  be  the  last  time.  Now  I  must 
hurry  ;  the  squadron  is  already  off." 

He  shook  hands  with  Borgert,  mounted 
his  horse,  and  trotted  out  of  the  barrack 
yard. 

Borgert,  greatly  relieved,  hurried  home 
with  a  joyful  heart.  He  was  not  expected 
on  duty  till  ten  o'clock.  He  could  have 
hugged  the  man.  Such  a  decent  chap,  al- 
ways ready  to  help  a  fellow  out  of  a  hole. 
Ten  days  was  a  long  time.  Something 
would  be  sure  to  turn  up  before  then. 

Lcimann,  in  the  meantime,  was  waiting 
35 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Towi 


impatiently  in  Borgert's  room,  but  when  he 
entered,  radiant,  his  face  cleared. 

"  Did  he  do  it  ? "  he  called  to  his  friend. 

"  Of  course  he  did,  without  a  word.  Go 
to  him  at  eleven  o'clock.  You  have  only 
two  hundred  marks  left  of  the  last  money 
you  borrowed.  He'll  do  it.  What  is  sauce 
for  the  goose  is  sauce  for  the  gander." 

That  afternoon,  as  the  two  friends  sat 
together  in  the  casino  over  a  bottle  of  wine, 
it  was  easy  to  see  by  Leimann's  boisterous 
hilarity  that  his  request  had  not  been  in  vain. 

Punctually  at  five  o'clock  all  the  officers  of 
the  regiment  in  full  uniform  were  assembled 
in  the  reading-room  of  the  casino  as  the 
Colonel  entered,  wearing  his  official  mien, 
and  received  from  his  officers  the  report 
"  All  present." 

"  Gentlemen,"  the  autocrat  began,  "  I  have 
requested  your  presence  this  evening  to  dis- 
cuss certain  matters  with  you.  First,  I  must 
beg  you  to  wear  dancing  spurs  at  balls  and 
similar  functions,  so  as  to  avoid  such  un- 
pleasant accidents  as  happened  last  night.  A 
gentleman  whose  name  I  will  not  mention  " 
—  and  he  glared  at  Lieutenant  von  Meckel- 
burg  —  "  tore  off  with  his  spurs  the  entire 

36 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


hem  from  the  dress  of  the  wife  of  Herr 
Rittmeister  Stark.  This  must  not  happen 
again,  gentlemen,  for,  if  it  should,  punish- 
ment will  certainly  follow.  Further,  it  is 
not  the  custom  among  well-bred  people  for 
a  gentleman  to  offer  his  hand  first  to  a 
lady.  Should,  however,  the  lady  offer  her 
hand,  then  politeness  requires  him,  in  the 
circles  in  which  we  move,  to  kiss  it.  The 
complaints  of  a  lady  of  the  regiment  prove 
that  some  of  you  gentlemen  are  still  so  back- 
ward in  your  education  thiit  this  must  be 
brought  to  your  notice."  This  referred  to 
Lieutenant  Bleibtreu,  who,  unwilling  to  kiss 
Frau  Stark's  dirty  dog-skin  glove,  which 
had  been  soaked  by  the  rain,  recently  de- 
clined to  perform  this  act  of  courtesy. 

The  Colonel  continued,  flicking  away  a 
tear :  "  Further,  gentlemen,  I  forbid  you  to 
go  to  any  other  town  without  permission. 
Whoever  wishes  to  co  to  even  the  nearest 
must  ask  for  leave,  even  if  it  is  only  two 
minutes  away.  You  all  know  that  two  gentle- 
men of  this  regiment  had  to  send  in  their 
resignations  under  very  distressing  circum- 
stances, as  they  had  made  the  place  too  hot 
to  hold  them,  and  contracted  debts  that  were 
appalling." 

37 


42S841 


Life  in  a  Gai^rison  Town 


"  May  I  be  permitted  to  ask  Colonel  von 
Kronau  a  question  ?  "  Captain  Konig  inter- 
rupted. 

"  Most  certainly,  Herr  Rittmeister." 

"  Does  this  regulation  also  affect  the  mar- 
ried officers  and  their  presence  at  parties, 
theatres,  and  concerts  ?  " 

"  Of  course  !  I  mean  to  have  full  con- 
trol over  you  all,  and  know  how  often  each 
of  you  leave  the  garrison  !  Insubordination 
I  shall  punish  according  to  the  criminal  code, 
not  as  mere  neglect  of  duty,  but  as  deliberate 
disobedience  to  orders  !  " 

There  was  a  pause,  during  which  the 
Colonel  took  out  his  handkerchief  and  wiped 
his  left  eye. 

As  he  looked  about  the  circle  to  observe 
the  effect  of  his  words,  he  seemed  to  read  in 
each  face  an  expression  of  amazement  and 
rebellion. 

This,  then,  was  the  result.  Because  two 
empty-headed  fools  had  broken  bounds,  all 
the  rest  of  the  officers  were  to  be  shut  up  in 
this  beggarly  hole !  Their  only  recreations, 
a  concert  or  a  glass  of  beer,  were  also  about 
to  be  relegated  to  the  pleasant  might-have- 
beens  ;  for  who  would  be  willing  to  have 
every  drop  counted  that  he  drank  while 
38 


Life  hi  a  Garrison  Town 


there  ?  Rather  not  go  at  all.  Supposing  a 
lady  of  the  regiment  should  ask  her  husband 
to  accompany  her  to  the  neighbouring  town, 
shopping,  everything  there  being  cheaper  and 
better,  he  would  have  to  say,  "  I  can't ;  I 
must  ask  permission,  just  as  a  school-boy 
asks  his  master  if  he  wants  to  go  out." 
That  is  the  reward  for  being  a  Captain,  and 
for  fifteen  years  of  service. 

This  was  indeed  a  triumph  for  the 
Colonel,  and  a  signal  proof  of  his  ability 
and  smartness  as  a  commanding  officer.  All 
that  was  now  necessary  was  to  be  obliged  to 
ask  permission  even  to  drink  a  glass  of  beer 
in  one's  own  quarters.  That  might  come 
later.  The  Colonel  did  not  for  a  moment 
consider  that  he  was  giving  his  younger 
officers  the  opportunity  of  disobeying  his 
orders  when,  duty  over,  they  cast  about  for 
amusements  not  provided  for  in  a  garrison; 
rather  he  was  convinced  that  he  was  the 
inventor  of  a  new  kind  of  discipline  and 
means  of  enforcing  military  obedience. 

"  And  now,  gentlemen,  as  the  year  of 
office  is  over,  we  will  ballot  for  a  new 
director  of  the  casino !  You,  Herr  Ritt- 
meister  Kahle,  held  the  position  all  last 
year,  and  I  am  glad  to  tell  you  that  the  way 

39 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


you  performed  your  duties  has  won  my 
entire  approval.  We  all,  gentlemen,  owe  a 
debt  of  gratitude  to  Captain  Kahle  for  the 
way  in  which  he  has  devoted  his  leisure  time 
to  improving  the  casino  !  He  has  increased 
our  funds,  and  he  has  made  many  alterations 
and  improvements.  It  seems  to  me,  there- 
fore, that  we  can  do  nothing  better  than 
urge  Captain  Kahle,  in  our  own  interest,  to 
retain  his  position.  Should  anyone  have 
any  other  suggestion,  then  we  will  ballot  by 
slips." 

The  murmur  of  approval  which  followed 
the  Colonel's  words  was  something  to  which 
he  was  quite  unaccustomed. 

"  I  consider  it  unnecessary,"  he  further 
continued,  "  to  audit  the  accounts,  for  I  am 
sure  that  I  should  find  everything  in  the 
best  order.  But  one  thing  more,  gentle- 
men ;  I  cannot  allow  you  to  run  up  your 
casino  bills  as  you  have  done  in  the  past. 
The  two  largest  accounts  were,  to  be  sure, 
paid  to-day,  but  if  the  rest  are  not  paid  by 
the  first  of  the  month,  I  shall  take  drastic 
measures  against  the  offenders.  Arrange 
accordingly.     Thank  you,  gentlemen  !  " 

Now  then,  you  Lieutenants,  it  is  high 
time  for  you  to  hurry  up  and  run  to  some 
40 


I^ijc  ill  a  Gariison  Town 


Jew  or  money-lender  and  borrow  money,  for 
each  one  of  you  owes  at  least  a  couple  of 
hundred  marks ;  nor  can  you  repay  in 
instalments  out  of  your  private  allowance, 
or  you  will  get  such  a  black  mark  in  your 
conduct  report  that  will  stick  till  you  are 
old  and  decrepit.  Nor  can  you  escape  again 
out  of  this  dull  hole;  but  don't,  on  that 
account,  for  goodness  sake,  venture  to  loaf 
any  more  of  your  time  away  at  the  casino, 
for  that  means  bigger  bills,  and  the  end  will 
be  arrest ! 

In  the  meantime  the  ladies  of  the  regi- 
ment and  two  or  three  civilians  had  assem- 
bled in  the  reading-room  to  discuss  the 
principal  event  of  the  evening  —  namely,  to 
choose  a  director  for  the  tennis-club  and  to 
decide  on  regular  days  for  playing  in  the 
casino  garden. 

Frau  Konig  was  the  only  one  absent  and 
her  husband  had  made  some  excuse  for  her, 
but  indeed  she  avoided  every  opportunity  of 
meeting  the  ladies  of  the  regiment.  She 
was  never  at  her  ease  with  them  and  loathed 
their  empty,  tiresome  conversations  about 
nothing  at  all.  She  was  indeed  quite  out 
of  place  among  them,  and  it  was  impossible 
for  her  to  enjoy  an  intercourse  based   only 

41 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


on  superficialities  and  strict  etiquette.  She 
particularly  despised  their  way  of  greeting 
their  friends  with  effusive  cordiality,  which 
changed  to  the  most  spiteful  criticism  as 
soon  as  their  backs  were  turned.  If  she 
could  not  be  honest  and  sincere  in  her 
opinions — and  that  might  have  been  very 
dangerous  —  she  preferred  to  remain  shut 
up  within  her  own  four  walls. 

The  discussion  in  the  reading-room  took 
a  long  time,  for  each  lady  had  a  cherished 
wish,  and  it  required  a  good  deal  of  elo- 
quent urging  on  the  part  of  the  newly- 
elected  director  to  induce  the  still  hesitating 
gentlemen  to  join.  It  was  expected  that 
most  of  them  would  not  play,  for  of  course 
nobody  had  any  intention  of  obliging  the 
Colonel  now,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  it 
helped  to  increase  the  membership  fees. 

At  last  the  folding  doors  were  opened 
into  the  dining-room,  where  a  simple  supper 
had  been  provided.  The  harsh  voice  of 
Frau  von  Kronau  dominated  the  conversa- 
tion, and  groups  of  old  and  young  men, 
gathered  in  corners,  subjected  the  Colonel's 
latest  regulations  to  a  sharp  criticism. 

The  Captains  Konig  and  Hagemann  were 
joking  rather  boisterously  with  Frau  Stark, 
42 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Torvn 


while  Lieutenant  Pommer  devoted  himself 
entirely  to  Frau  Kahle  and  did  not  leave 
her  side. 

After  supper  most  of  the  gentlemen  were 
seized  with  an  enthusiastic  longing  to  escape 
from  this  tiresome  meeting,  to  which  they 
had  been  summoned  on  the  false  pretence 
of  official  business.  Just  then  Frau  Stark 
called  out : 

"  How  would  it  be,  Herr  Oberst,  if  we 
had  a  dance  ?  I'm  sure  no  one  has  anything 
else  to  do.      It  would  be  lovely,  enchanting." 

The  Colonel  debated  a  moment,  then  he 
declared  himself  delighted.  Any  wish  of 
Frau   Stark's  was  a  command   to  him. 

The  gentlemen  were  furious.  To  dance 
in  this  heat  —  it  was  madness  !  It  would  be 
much  wiser  to  sit  in  the  shade  of  the  verandah 
and  drink  beer.  Lieutenant  Specht  was  es- 
pecially indignant,  as  he  had  promised  to 
meet  his  lady-love  at  the  railway-station  at  ten 
o'clock.  He  gave  expression  to  his  indigna- 
tion when  he  turned  to  Borgert. 

"  The  old  screw  is  crazy  with  her  dancing, 
but  we  will  give  her  such  a  turn  to-night 
that  the  perspiration  will  pour  down  her 
back." 

Everybody  went  for  a  stroll  in  the  garden 

43 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


while  the  hall  was  being  cleared  and  arranged 
for  dancing.  A  faint  crescent  moon  softly 
illumined  the  horizon,  against  which  the 
spires  and  houses  of  the  town  stood  out 
like  ghostly  silhouettes.  In  the  fresh  green 
of  the  hedge  a  nightingale  trilled  most 
divinely  in  the  soft  evening  air,  and  in 
between  could  be  heard  the  tones  of  the 
fiddles  from  the  casino.  A  few  broken 
chords  from  the  organ  of  a  "  merry-go- 
round,"  cut  and  drowned  by  the  wind,  floated 
across  the  still  night  from  the  distant  town. 
The  peace  and  the  quiet  of  the  evening 
tempted  to  dreams  and  sadness.  On  the 
tennis-court  Lieutenant  Borgert  occupied 
the  time  by  giving  the  younger  gentlemen 
an  excellent  imitation  of  the  way  in  which 
Frau  Stark  played  tennis,  how  she  served 
and  returned  the  balls,  and  the  improvised 
entertainment  was  so  successful  that  his 
audience  held  their  sides  with  laughter. 

Only  when  he  caught  sight  of  a  white 
dress  through  the  foliage  at  the  foot  of  the 
garden  did  he  end  the  performance. 

Who  was  it,''  Was  she  alone  ?  He  must 
creep  nearer  and  open  his  ears.  Possibly 
it  might  be  an  interesting  adventure.  Cau- 
tiously  and   silently   he    hurried    across    the 

44 


Life  in  a  Garriso/i  Toiim 


lawn  and  hid  behind  an  elderberry  bush. 
Only  a  few  steps  away  stood  Lieutenant 
Pommer  with  his  arm  about  Frau  Kahle's 
waist,  whispering  eagerly  to  her.  It  was  a 
pity  that  they  were  whispering,  still  he  could 
catch  an  occasional  sentence. 

"What  does  it  matter,  Crete?  If  he 
treats  you  so,  then  you  have  a  right  to  do 
as  you  please.  Besides,  he  is  too  stupid  to 
notice  anything  !  If  you  only  knew  how  I 
love  you,  how  I  adore  you  !  " 

"  If  you  really  love  me  so  much,  then 
I  cannot  refuse  ;  I  so  long  to  be  happy 
again!  " 

Thereupon  the  fat  lieutenant  took  the 
little  woman  in  his  clumsy  arms  and  kissed 
her  passionately.  But  she  freed  herself  from 
his  embrace  and  fled  like  a  deer  across  the 
lawn  towards  the  casino,  through  the  open 
windows  of  which  the  waltz,  "  Over  the  Sil- 
ver Waves,"  fell  across  the  soft  May  night. 
Pommer  crept  under  the  shadow  of  the  trees 
towards  the  entrance  gate,  so  that  he  should 
not  be  noticed.  Thereupon  Borgert  deserted 
his  honourable  post,  greatly  pleased  and 
satisfied. 

The  dance  had  become  very  lively.  Frau 
Stark  was  most  in  request ;  she  flew  from 

45 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


one  arm  to  the  other  and  perspired  like  a 
soldier  at  drill.  Lieutenant  von  Meckelburg 
was  especially  offered  up  as  the  favourite 
victim,  but  he  was  a  shocking  bad  dancer, 
and  he  could  not  keep  in  step.  When  the 
fat  lady  pressed  the  little  Baron  to  her 
mighty  bosom,  he  quite  disappeared  in  the 
folds  of  her  black  and  yellow  dress. 

Finally  she  had  to  give  up  and  sank 
gasping  into  the  nearest  chair,  and  wiped 
the  big  drops  from  her  face  with  the  back  of 
her  hand. 

Lieutenant  Specht  was  enjoying  himself 
in  his  own  way,  dancing  with  bent  knees  in 
the  fashion  popular  in  low  dancing-saloons. 
Borgert  stood  in  a  corner  half  leaning  over 
Frau  Leimann,  who  had  sunk  exhausted  into 
a  chair  and  who  was  fanning  herself  with 
her  handkerchief  The  Lieutenant's  glances 
rested  on  the  lovely  curves  of  the  white  neck 
as  it  gleamed  through  the  transparent  em- 
broidery, and  he  drank  in  greedily  its  faint 
perfume. 

In  the  reading-room  the  orderlies  filled 
and  refilled  the  glasses  with  "  May  "  punch, 
while  at  a  round  table  a  group  of  officers 
played  "skat"  for  penny  points. 

Lieutenant  Specht  took  the  first  oppor- 
46 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


tunity  during  the  next  waltz  of  making  off, 
for  it  was  high  time  for  him  to  go  to  the 
station,  and  as  it  was  too  late  to  change  his 
clothes  he  went  in  full  uniform  to  meet  his 
"  lady."  She  was  laden  with  small  parcels 
of  provisions,  bought  at  her  own  expense  as 
her  contribution  to  the  housekeeping. 

In  a  corner  of  the  sofa  sat  Lieutenant 
Bleibtreu,  lost  in  thought.  He  smoked  his 
cigar  slowly  and  only  half  heard  the  jokes 
of  the  skat  players.  He  was  rather  vexed, 
because  Frau  Konig,  the  only  lady  with 
whom  he  liked  to  talk,  was  not  there  ;  some- 
times his  thoughts  flew  back  to  his  distant 
home,  where  the  woods  were  now  decked  in 
all  the  glory  of  the  young  summer,  and  where 
he  had  spent  so  many  a  happy  hour  com- 
muning with  nature  and  in  the  company  of 
those  who  loved  him. 

How  different  it  was  here  !  Here  were 
all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men  with  whom 
one  never  became  intimate,  whose  interests 
were  all  centred  in  superficial  things  or  in 
amusements  of  a  very  questionable  kind. 
Of  course  there  was  his  profession  and  he 
was  fond  of  it ;  still  it  was  not  enough  to 
satisfy  a  man  whose  interests  in  life  were  not 
as  narrow  as  those  of  most  of  his  comrades. 
47 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


And  now  he  would  be  expected  to  live 
here  for  years  and  years,  away  from  every- 
thing that  might  bring  variety  into  the 
routine  of  his  life;  among  people  intercourse 
with  whom  was  strictly  confined  to  the  super- 
ficialities of  "  good  form,"  and  who  were 
always  on  the  watch  for  the  weaknesses  of 
their  neighbours,  which  they  considered  fair 
game. 

And  is  this  the  comradeship,  the  vaunted 
good  fellowship  of  the  German  army  ?  To 
live  under  similar  conditions,  always  forced 
to  be  together  and  if  possible  to  agree,  re- 
quired to  treat  each  other  with  superficial 
courtesy  at  least,  and  always  to  be  seen 
together  on  duty,  at  the  casino  and  innu- 
merable other  places  —  that  is  what  was 
understood  by  good  comradeship. 

But  where  was  the  intimate  friendship, 
where  the  mutual  interest  ?  The  constant 
endeavour  to  be  helpful  to  one  another,  and 
never  to  be  either  malicious  or  envious  ? 
Alas,  the  beautiful  word  "comradeship"  has 
indeed  sunk  to  an  empty  phrase  ! 

Of  course   here  and  there  can  be  found 

some    officers    really   united    in    the    closest 

bonds  of  friendship,  a  friendship  loyal  and 

self-sacrificing  ;  but  two  such  comrades,  com- 

48 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


rades  in  the  noblest  sense  of  the  word,  are 
very  rare  indeed,  are  very  exceptional. 

Of  course  if  one  is  prosperous  and  all  goes 
well  then  there  are  friends  in  plenty,  and 
intercourse  among  comrades  is  delightful ; 
there  is  a  reciprocity  of  kindness,  a  drinking 
and  frolicking  together ;  there  is  a  willing- 
ness to  be  of  service  to  each  other  if  it 
involves  no  risks,  no  bothers,  no  sacrifices. 

But  true  comradeship  means  more  than 
this! 

Should  a  comrade  fall  into  evil  ways,  or 
betray  a  lack  of  experience  or  good  breeding 
offensive  to  others  ;  or,  if  through  ignorance, 
folly  or  lack  of  education  he  has  done  some- 
thing wrong  or  blameworthy,  he  is,  if  at  all, 
only  brutally  censured  for  his  faults  instead 
of  a  kind  and  friendly  effort  being  made  to 
point  out  to  him  his  shortcomings,  or  to 
help  his  failings,  or  to  compare  his  faults 
with  one's  own.  Rather  he  is  avoided  as  a 
man  of  no  account  and  as  one  "  who  is  not 
in  it."  Indeed,  he  is  quite  overlooked  un- 
less something  can  still  be  got  out  of  the 
sinner,  or  if  some  talent  or  some  other  ser- 
vices rendered  have  made  him  popular. 

A  civilian  is  much  better  off.  It  he  has 
found  no  true  and  loyal  friend,  he  can,  at 
4  49 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


least,  live  his  own  life  without  being  per- 
petually forced  to  meet  men  at  mess  and 
countless  other  occasions  with  whom  he  has 
nothing  in  common.  It  is  different  in  the 
service. 

These  were  the  thoughts  that  occupied 
BleibtreUj  when  Captain  Konig  came  into 
the  room  and  sat  down  beside  him  on  the 
sofa. 

"And  this  is  what  people  call  amuse- 
ment," the  Captain  grumbled.  "  I  dare  say 
they'll  bore  us  often  enough  with  such 
gaieties  to  make  up  for  keeping  us  away 
from  town.  My  wife  will  open  her  eyes 
when  I  tell  her." 

"I  agree  with  you,  Herr  Rittmeister; 
to-day's  regulation  is  simply  abominable," 
Bleibtreu  exclaimed.  "  If  the  Colonel  had 
only  forbidden  the  younger  officers  to  go, 
that  would  have  been  hard  enough,  but  to 
include  the  married  officers  in  the  same 
category  is  an  unwarranted  and  outrageous 
assumption  of  authority.  Of  course,  he  him- 
self will  ride  over  whenever  he  chooses." 

"  Entertainments  such  as  this  might  pass 
if  they  were  arranged  to  please  everybody 
or  if  agreed  upon  beforehand;  but  no  — 
Madame   Stark    commands    and    we    obey ! 

50 


Life  ill  a  Garrison  Town 


If  one  of  us  should  plead  a  prior  engage- 
ment, the  Colonel  would  make  it  hot  for 
him  to-morrow  !  We  had  a  little  example  of 
it  just  now.  One  may  not  even  drink  what 
one  chooses,"  the  Captain  continued.  "  The 
Colonel  simply  brews  a  punch  and  we  have 
to  pay  the  bill.  The  one  to-night  certainly 
cost  six  marks  a  head.  How  can  he  know 
that  I  don't  prefer  to  drink  one  mark's 
worth,  and  that  either  beer  or  seltzer-water? 
Then,  to  cap  the  climax,  he  stands  there  and 
preaches  to  us  about  our  casino  debts." 

"  You  are  right ;  but  all  the  same  it  would 
be  well  if  some  of  us  were  less  extravagant, 
such  as  Borgert  and  several  others.  It  is  a 
pity  that  hardly  a  third  of  these  men  know 
how  to  keep  their  accounts,"  Bleibtreu 
replied. 

"  Yes,  that  is  the  cancer  which  is  eating 
into  our  military  system.  The  number  of 
officers  ruined  by  debt  passes  belief,"  said 
Captain  Konig.  "  And  what  is  the  reason  ? 
Why  can  young  men  in  other  positions  in 
life  live  more  economically  ?  In  the  first 
place,  because  they  are  not  forced  to  asso- 
ciate with  people  who  are  better  off  than 
themselves.  If  a  man  has  no  money,  he 
stretches  himself  according  to  his  cloth  and 

51 


Life  in  a  Garn.son  Town 


makes  himself  quite  comfortable.  But  in 
the  casino  the  millionaire  and  the  pauper 
sit  side  by  side.  It  is  easy  enough  to  say 
that  the  wealthy  officers  should  live  in  ratio 
to  the  means  of  their  poorer  comrades.  But 
it  is  impossible  to  expect  a  millionaire  to 
drink  water  at  dinner,  and  to  give  up  a 
sumptuous  establishment,  horses  and  car- 
riages for  the  sake  of  a  comrade  with  an 
extra  monthly  allowance  of  only  fifty  marks. 
In  the  long  run,  the  poor  man  will  get  dis- 
satisfied with  his  own  modest  way  of  living 
when  he  sees  his  more  fortunate  comrades 
rioting  on  the  fat  of  the  land,  and  the  result 
is  that  he  follows  their  example.  Money  is 
not  needed  at  once  ;  his  uniform  helps  him 
to  unlimited  credit.  But  the  misery  begins 
when  the  time  for  repayment  comes.  Un- 
less a  guardian  angel  in  the  shape  of  a  Jew 
or  money-lender  rescues  him,  he  is  done  for. 
In  the  despairing  effort  to  get  money,  how 
many  a  shady  trick  is  resorted  to  !  Possibly 
the  father  scrapes  together  his  last  pennies 
and  sacrifices  his  evening  smoke  to  keep  his 
lad  above  water.  Should  the  youngster  be 
so  lucky  as  to  emerge  safely  from  his  first 
scrape,  he  soon  begins  again  in  the  fond  belief 
that  he  will  be  equally  lucky  the  next  time." 

52 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

"  But  that  cannot  be  helped,"  Bleibtreu 
interposed  ;  "  each  is,  after  all,  responsible 
for  himself." 

"  Not  helped  !  "  Captain  Konig  exclaimed. 
"Of  course  it  can  be  helped!  It  would  be 
quite  sufficient  to  make  a  law  that  no  officer 
under  the  rank  of  Captain  can  be  sued  for 
debt.  I  rather  think  the  tradespeople  would 
be  mighty  careful  not  to  risk  giving  credit 
at  a  venture  to  a  Lieutenant  of  twenty-three, 
with  whose  means  they  are  totally  unac- 
quainted. They  would  not  lend  a  hundred 
marks  to  a  civilian  three  times  as  well  off 
without  careful  inquiries  as  to  who  and  what 
he  is  and  his  standing.  The  result  of  the 
present  system  is  that  the  officers  are  the 
prey  of  the  tradespeople,  who  know  that 
they  are  sure  to  get  their  money  in  most 
cases,  or  they  can  ruin  their  debtor." 

"It  seems  to  me  that  an  officer's  excep- 
tional social  position  obliges  him  to  live  so 
extravagantly,  and  for  that  reason,  I  think, 
all  men  of  moderate  means  should  be  ex- 
cluded," said  Lieutenant  Bleibtreu. 

"  That  is  exaggerating,"  said  Captain 
Konig,  "  and  yet  energetic  measures  are  re- 
quired to  put  a  stop  to  this  ruinous  extrav- 
agance.     Of  course    it    is  well    and    kindly 

S3 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


meant  when  the  order  reads :  '  The  more 
extravagance  and  luxury  an  officer  sees 
about  him,  the  more  simply  he  should  wish 
to  live.'  A  pious  motto  never  to  be  ful- 
filled, for  it  is  evident  if  the  officer  sees  the 
increasing  extravagance  of  other  classes  he 
thinks  it  due  to  his  prominent  social  position 
to  equal,  if  not  to  exceed,  it.  He  believes 
himself  vastly  superior  to  anyone  else,  and 
even  a  Lieutenant  will  look  with  the  greatest 
contempt,  or  at  least  with  a  compassionate 
smile,  at  the  man  who  by  the  labour  of  his 
hands  or  his  intellectual  achievements  has 
been  of  use  to  the  world. 

"  This  self-conceit  is  the  curse  of  our  pro- 
fession and  likely  to  alienate  from  each  other, 
more  and  more,  the  people  and  the  officers 
of  the  army,  while  the  contrary  is  earnestly 
to  be  desired.  And  it  is  to  officers  such  as 
these  that  the  people  are  compelled  to  con- 
fide their  sons  to  be  trained.  But  if  their 
trust  in  them  is  shaken  more  and  more,  then 
will  the  people's  love  for  a  soldier's  life  and 
the  patriotism  which  go  hand  in  hand  grad- 
ually die. 

"  The  officer  should  be  given  more  in- 
tellectual employment,  so  that  it  may  be 
apparent  to  him  in  what  he  is  deficient  com- 
54 


Ijife  in  a  Garrison  Town 


pared  to  men  in  other  professions  —  so  that 
he  may  learn  the  value  of  their  services  to 
the  State ;  then,  perhaps,  he  will  begin  to 
appreciate  his  privileges  and  prerogatives, 
which  no  one  grudges  him,  instead  of  find- 
ing in  these  a  reason  for  intolerable  arro- 
gance. This  leads  to  other  troubles,  and  is 
the  reason  why  so  many  officers  see  in  their 
soldiers,  not  their  comrades  nor  the  future 
defenders  of  their  country,  whom  they  should 
help,  but  rather  the  objects  of  never-ending 
trouble  and  ceaseless  irritation.  This  results 
in  yet  another  evil. 

"The  young  man  of  twenty  feels  his 
superior's  hostility  with  silent  resentment. 
Gradually  he  loses  his  pride  in  his  gay  uni- 
form, especially  if  his  superiors  make  unrea- 
sonable demands  on  him,  or  if  they  treat  him 
unjustly.  Of  course  while  he  is  in  power  of 
the  military  authorities  he  will  be  exceedingly 
careful  how  he  expresses  his  opinions,  but  no 
sooner  has  he  freed  himself  from  the  military 
yoke,  than  a  leaning  towards  socialism,  pos- 
sibly in-born,  will  undoubtedly  grow  with 
redoubled  strength,  especially  after  the  ex- 
periences he  has  been  through  while  in  the 
army.  And  it  is  indeed  very  grave  if  what 
should  be   the  most   important   factor  with 

55 


Life  hi  a  Garrhon  Town 


which  to  combat  the  gigantic  growth  of 
socialism,  namely,  the  military  training-time 
of  young  and  impressionable  men,  easily 
taught  and  influenced,  should  be  made  the 
means  to  recruit  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  ; 
and  this  will  happen  inevitably  if  such  officers 
are  permitted  to  be  military  trainers." 

"  May  this  not  be  only  a  passing  phase 
from  which  our  superior  military  class  is 
suffering?  " 

"No,  that  is  the  tragedy  of  it  —  it  is  a 
deep-rooted  cancer.  But  even  this  might 
be  controlled  and  possibly  destroyed  if  one 
could  go  seriously  to  work,  instead  of  arro- 
gantly believing  that  German  officers  stand 
at  the  head  of  all  and  need  no  reform. 
There  is  still  time  to  help,  for  these  critical 
conditions  have  not  yet  taken  a  form  impos- 
sible to  overcome  ;  in  spite  of  everything  we 
still  have  a  record  of  a  glorious  past,  and  the 
fame  of  our  army  is  great  in  foreign  countries. 
But  we  must  strike  while  the  iron  is  hot. 
An  army  is  created  for  war  and  it  is  inevit- 
able that  it  must  suffer  under  thirty  years  of 
peace.  But  we  need  no  war  to  eradicate  this 
evil,  but  we  do  need  prudent,  level-headed 
men,  who  will  frankly  confess  that  *  there  is 
something  rotten  in  the  state  of  Denmark.'  " 

56 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Konlg  had  talked  himself  into  a  great  heat. 
He  took  a  long  pull  at  the  beer  glass  which 
the  orderly  had  just  brought  him,  for  he 
refused  to  drink  punch,  thus  defying  the 
Colonel.  Occasionally  he  needed  to  let 
himself  go,  just  to  shake  off  his  worries; 
that  done  he   felt  relieved. 

Borgert  had  been  standing  within  earshot 
paying  close  attention  to  what  the  Captain 
said ;  whenever  two  people  chatted  together 
he  was  sure  to  be  in  the  background. 
Secretly  he  was  much  amused  at  these  two 
croakers,  who  did  not  appreciate  the  advan- 
tages offered.  Why  did  they  not  think  as  he 
did  ?  Enjoy  life  as  it  came  and  good  times 
as  they  turned  up.  That  was  his  motto  in 
life,  and  for  that  reason  the  champagne,  for 
which  he  never  paid,  tasted  so  good.  He 
liked  living  in  this  dull  hole,  where  there  was 
always  a  little  scandal  brewing,  an  attraction 
sadly  lacking  in  his  last  garrison  town. 
When  his  taste  for  that  kind  of  amusement 
was  discovered  there  he  was  hastily  ordered 
to  the  frontier  for  the  good  and  welfare  of 
his  comrades.  With  half-closed  eyes  and  a 
thoughtful  face  he  stood  leaning  against  the 
doorpost.  All  at  once  he  looked  attentively 
about  him.     Where  was  that  fat  Pommer  ? 

57 


IJfc  in  a  Garrison  Tozvfi 


He  had  only  just  seen  him  stumbHng  about 
half  tipsy  among  the  ladies,  and  now  he  was 
gone.  And  Frau  Kahle  ?  Sure  enough  ! 
Also  gone.  Now  for  a  game  of  hide-and- 
seek  ;  possibly  it  might  lead  to  something 
enormously  funny.  So  he  crept  cautiously 
into  the  garden,  laying  aside  his  cigar  for 
fear  it  might  betray  him.  The  moon  had 
discreetly  sunk  towards  the  horizon  so  as  not 
to  be  an  unwilling  witness  of  what  was  taking 
place  among  the  beeches  at  the  foot  of  the 
garden.  Her  faint  rays  barely  touched  the 
masses  of  clouds  that  floated  across  her 
hiding-place. 

And  so  it  was  !  There  they  were,  on  the 
wooden  seat  under  the  garden  wall,  clasped 
in  a  passionate  embrace.  The  nightingale 
still  sang,  but  farther  away.  Pommer  was 
uttering  confused  phrases  without  troubling 
himself  as  to  whether  he  was  overheard. 
Frau  Kahle  with  her  head  on  his  shoulder 
drank  in  the  words  of  love  which  she  had 
not  heard  since  the  first  year  of  her  married 
life,  while  Lieutenant  Pommer  occasionally 
pressed  a  kiss  on  her  mouth  and  hands.  His 
right  arm  clasped  her  slender  waist  and  one 
big  hand  rested  on  her  throbbing  breast. 

"  Dear,  darling  Grete,  you  really  must  get 

i8 


Life  in  a  Qariison  Town 


rid  of  this  man.  He  is  a  tyrant,  and  he  has 
no  feehng  whatever.  Besides,  he  is  alto- 
gether too  big  for  you  ! " 

"  He  is  a  good  fellow,  but  he  doesn't 
understand  me.  I  must  have  someone  who 
understands  me  and  who  really  loves  me. 
It  will  be  so  sweet  to  pet  you  when  you 
come  home  tired  out  from  duty.  I  shall 
be  so  good  to  you!" 

"  How  I  love  you,  you  dear  little  rogue  !  " 

"  And  how  I  love  you,  dear  Hans  !  You 
cannot  imagine  how  hurt  I  was  last  year 
when  my  husband  flirted  with  the  magis- 
trate's wife,  a  woman  who  was  neither  young 
nor  pretty.  He  even  ran  after  the  old  mid- 
wife, whom  he  did  not  recognise  because  she 
had  a  shawl  over  her  head.  She  let  him  fol- 
low her  into  the  house,  and  then  she  quietly 
took  off  her  shawl  and  said,  '  So,  sir,  now  I 
shall  tell  your  wife  what  kind  of  a  fellow  you 
are.'     And  so  she  did." 

"It  is  too  much  for  you  to  bear,  Crete, 
really  it  is."  And  as  he  spoke  he  embraced 
her  with  such  passion  that  she  gave  a  little 
cry  of  pain. 

Just  then  someone  shouted  his  name  from 
the  casino  ;   he  was  wanted. 

Fearins  to  be  discovered  in   his  honour- 

59 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


able  position  as  spy  should  they  rise,  Bor- 
gert  walked  straight  up  to  the  disconcerted 
pair. 

"  Good  heavens,  how  you  frightened  me ! 
But,  pardon,  I  don't  wish  to  intrude."  And 
he  walked  hurriedly  away  towards  the 
casino. 

Of  course  no  one  suspected  the  reason  for 
the  change  in  Borgert's  face.  His  bored 
expression  had  given  way  to  one  of  sly  and 
cynical  amusement. 

Now  he  knew  enough,  and  so  he  could 
devote  a  little  time  to  dancing.  After  all  it 
was  a  delight  to  hold  in  his  arms  so  beautiful 
a  creature  as  Frau  Leimann.  She  was  worth 
committing  a  sin  for. 

The  gaieties  were  nearing  their  end ;  the 
ladies  were  tired,  and  Frau  Stark  especially 
had  been  danced  nearly  to  death.  Even  the 
Colonel's  wife  had  had  quite  enough,  and 
was  silent  —  an  unusual  state  for  her. 

Suddenly  Frau  Leimann  complained  of 
headache  and  asked  Borgert  to  take  her 
home,  for  her  husband  had  reached  the 
maudlin  stage  —  his  usual  condition  after 
too  much  punch — and  was  reeling  about 
the  garden,  sobbing  and  weeping  most 
dolefully. 

60 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


The  gentlemen  had  nearly  all  succumbed 
to  the  influence  of  the  "  May  "  punch,  and 
they  had  become  very  noisy  and  coarse  in 
their  jokes.  It  was  high  time  to  separate, 
so  they  climbed  into  the  carriages  that  had 
been  waiting  at  the  casino  gate  for  a  couple 
of  hours. 

A  few  pet  names  and  thumps  were  re- 
quired to  rouse  the  sleeping  coachmen,  who 
were  tired  out  from  the  exhaustion  of  the 
morning's  drill. 

About  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning  the 
fat  Pommer  was  still  in  bed.  He  should 
have  been  on  duty,  but  he  had  overslept 
himself;  and,  seeing  that  it  was  now  too 
late,  he  turned  over  and  again  began  to 
snore. 

When  he  at  last  woke  at  eleven  o'clock 
he  stared  stupidly  before  him,  then  his 
hand,  which  a  few  hours  ago  had  so  tenderly 
clasped  Frau  Crete's,  clutched  his  tangled 
hair. 

Thunder,  how  his  head  ached !  What 
had  happened  ?  Yes,  now  he  remembered 
—  that  confounded  punch  of  last  night! 

But  there  was  something  more  !  A  white 
dress  was  interwoven  in  his  recollections, 
6i 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


and  very  vaguely  and  slowly  he  began  to 
remember  what  had  happened.  He  looked 
at  the  clock.     What,  past  eleven  already  ? 

With  trouble  and  groans  he  crept  out  of 
bed  and  slipped  on  his  trousers  and  made 
some  kind  of  a  toilet.  It  was  all  one  to  him, 
for  his  head  ached  fit  to  split,  and  then  there 
was  always  the  thought  of  what  had  hap- 
pened yesterday.  It  was  unbearable!  In  a 
very  bad  temper  he  flung  himself  into  a 
chair,  and,  when  his  servant  brought  in  his 
coffee  and  let  a  spoon  fall,  he  turned  on  him 
in  a  fury. 

"  You  infernal  ass,  don't  make  such  a 
clatter,  or  I'll  kick  you  out  of  the  room  !  " 

With  a  great  effort  Pommer  tried  to  recall 
the  events  of  yesterday,  and  the  more  vivid 
they  became  the  more  he  was  horrified  at 
his  own   conduct. 

What  had  he  done  ?  He  had  made  love 
to  the  wife  of  a  comrade  —  he  whose  views 
and  principles  had  always  been  so  rigid 
that  he  was,  perhaps,  the  only  one  among 
his  comrades  whose  most  cutting  reproofs 
were,  endured,  for  they  all  knew  that  he 
not  only  preached,  but  practised  what  he 
preached.  He  recalled  his  past.  Was  there 
in  it  either  spot  or  stain?  No,  no;  the 
62 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


years  that  were  gone  lay  pure  and  unblem- 
ished before  him,  and  now  that  he  had 
passed  the  dangers  and  follies  of  youth,  he 
was  burdened  with  a  heavy  sin  —  he  had 
wronged  his  comrade's  wife.     Shame  1 

But  had  she  not  told  him  herself  that  she 
was  unhappy,  that  her  husband  ill-treated 
her  ?  Was  that  not  an  excuse,  possibly  even 
a  justification  ? 

No  —  and  again,  no  !  He  had  grievously 
sinned  against  a  man's  most  sacred  rights. 
The  blood  rushed  to  his  head,  and  the  room 
seemed  whirling  round.  If  he  could  die, 
only  die,  now  that  he  had  proved  himself 
false  to  all  that  was  best  within  him,  and 
burdened  his  conscience  with  a  crime  from 
which  he  could  never  escape  ! 

What  had  happened  that  he  could  so  far 
have  forgotten  himself?  It  was  all  owing  to 
the  champagne  he  had  drunk  in  the  morning 
with  Borgert,  empty-headed  tippler  that  he 
was.  Then  there  was  the  "  Turkenblut," 
that  horrible  mixture  which  Miiller  had  stood 
at  mess  because  he  had  lost  a  bet,  followed 
at  night  by  that  cursed  punch ;  and  alto- 
gether it  made  him,  who  rarely  drank  a  glass 
of  wine,  lose  his  head.  The  others,  the  con- 
temptible scoundrels,  when  they  noticed  this, 
63 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


had  given  him  more  and  more  to  drink, 
probably  because  his  drunkenness  amused 
them. 

Of  course  he  liked  the  pretty  little  woman. 
She  was  just  to  his  taste  —  so  soft,  so  charm- 
ing, so  yielding.  Big,  strong  men  often  fall 
in  love  with  little  women,  but  to  do  what  he 
had  done  last  night  had  never  entered  his 
head  before;  he  must  have  been  mad.  He 
would  go  to  her  and  implore  her  to  forgive 
him  ;  he  would  honestly  and  frankly  confess 
his  sin  —  it  might  lessen  his  guilt  if  it  could 
not  efface  it. 

Just  then  someone  knocked  at  the  door. 
As  if  he  expected  Nemesis  herself  to  enter, 
he  shrunk  back  in  his  chair  and  muttered 
faintly,  "  Come  in," 

Lieutenant  Borgert  crossed  the  threshold 
helmet  in  hand.  He  seemed  surprised  to 
find  his  comrade  in  such  a  condition  and  he 
took  his  measure  with  a  sharp  glance. 

"  Excuse  me  if  I  disturb  you  ;  but  I  have 
come  to  speak  to  you  about  a  rather  painful 
matter." 

"  Official  or  private  '^.  "    Pommer  growled. 

"  Both ;  just  as  you  take  it,"  Borgert 
replied  insolently. 

"  I  am  not  in  a  mood  just  now  for  private 
64 


Life  in  a  Ganison  7\jzv?i 


matters.      Kindly  put  it  off  till  some  other 
time  ?  " 

"  Sorry,  but  I  want  it  settled  now.  You 
know  very  well  that  as  your  senior  in  length 
of  service  I  have  the  right  to  demand  an  ex- 
planation from  you  of  anything  I  see  fit." 

Pommer  sat  lost  in  thought  for  a  moment. 
Before  he  entered  the  army  he  had  spent 
three  years  at  the  University,  and  after  that 
he  had  been  employed  in  several  great  bank- 
ing houses,  and  now  he  who  had  seen  life 
from  its  most  serious  aspects,  whose  expe- 
rience was  double  that  of  other  men  of  his 
age,  was  obliged  to  justify  his  conduct  to 
a  man  who  did  nothing  but  drink,  carouse 
and  squander  money,  and  who  in  the  service 
was  beneath  contempt.  Yet  the  man  had 
the  power  to  make  him  ;  a  military  regulation 
gave  him  the  right. 

Yes,  so  it  was,  and  now  he  remembered 
how  the  question  of  this  same  foolish  privi- 
lege had  been  the  subject  of  serious  thought, 
how  he  had  recognised  the  possibilities  of 
its  abuse  by  anyone  who  might  wish  to  in- 
jure a  junior  comrade  powerless  to  defend 
himself  Anyone  could  play  the  part  of 
superior  officer  if  he  chose  to.  It  was 
magnificent,  truly  ! 
s  ■      65 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


A  grim  and  cynical  smile  crossed  Pom- 
mer's  pale  face  ;  but  he  spoke  with  a  steady 
voice  : 

"  Very  well,  then  —  what  do  you  wish  ?  " 

"  I  was  in  the  garden  last  night  by  acci- 
dent, and  there  I  saw  something  which  I  do 
not  understand  even  now.     I  saw  you " 

"Yes,  I  kissed  a  lady,  the  wife  of  Captain 
Kahle,  and  made  love  to  her  —  I  know 
that." 

"  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  explain  to  me 
how  that  happened  ?  " 

"  I  was  drunk,  or  it  certainly  would  not 
have  happened." 

"  Well,  your  explanation  is  short  and 
simple  enough.  But  why  do  you  drink  too 
much  if  you  can  stand  so  little  and  lose 
your  self-control  ?  " 

"  If  I  was  drunk  I  was  not  alone  to 
blame;  there  were  others " 

Borgert  interrupted  for  fear  of  hearing 
something  that  might  sound  like  a  reproach. 

"  You  do  not  seem  to  realise  the  gravity 
of  the  situation,"  he  said  ironically.  "  There- 
fore I  should  like  to  point  it  out  to  you." 

"  I  don't  require  your  explanation.  I 
myself  know  what   I " 

"  Pardon  me,  but  I  insist  on  speaking,  my 
66 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

dear  sir.  I  cannot  allow  you  to  correct  me, 
for  I  have  come  here  to  set  you  right." 

Pommer  was  about  to  retort  in  a  passion, 
but  the  other's  icy  glance  and  cutting  tones 
silenced  him. 

"  What  you  have  done  is  the  gravest  crime 
against  a  friend  that  I  know.  To  make  love 
to  the  wife  of  a  comrade  is  to  commit  an 
act  of  disloyalty,  is  indeed  a  crime  which 
deserves  the  most  condign  punishment. 
How  would  you  act  should  you  find  your 
wife  in  the  arms  of  another  man  ?  Kill  him 
at  once,  of  course,  or  you  would  challenge 
him  to  fight  to  the  death.  But  you  —  you 
have  dared  to  make  love  to  a  married  woman. 
You  have  violated  the  holy  of  holies,  which 
should  be  to  us  a  noli  me  tangere.  A  mere 
clasp  of  the  hand,  a  glance  in  such  a  case 
means  dishonour ;  yes,  even  the  secret  long- 
ing to  kiss  and  possess  the  wife  of  another. 
Do  you  still  dare  to  look  in  the  face  of  the 
man  you  have  so  shamefully  wronged  and 
deceived  ?  I  could  not !  I  would  go  to 
him  at  once,  confess  my  guilt,  and  offer  him 
satisfaction.  I  never  would  have  believed 
you  capable  of  so  dastardly  an  act.  Are  you 
not  ashamed  of  yourself  to  the  very  depths 
of  your  soul  ?      I   have   no  wish   to  plunge 

67 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


you  into  misery,  and  this  shall  go  no  farther, 
or  you  would  be  ruined.  Not  only  would  it 
be  a  question  of  your  career,  but  of  your  life. 
But  I  shall  expect  you  to  go  to  the  lady  this 
very  day  and  beg  her  pardon,  and  you  must 
also  tell  her  what  I  have  done  for  you." 

Borgert  drew  himself  triumphantly  up  to 
his  full  height  and  looked  down  at  the  miser- 
able Pommer,  on  whose  face  the  first  expres- 
sion of  rebellion  had  gradually  given  way  to 
one  of  silent  submission  and  conscious  guilt. 

The  big  stout  man  had  shrunk  together 
more  and  more  in  his  chair,  and  his  eyes 
stared  lifelessly  before  him  on  the  floor. 

Two  great  tears  stood  in  his  eyes.  The 
man  was  weeping.  Was  it  because  his  guilt 
lay  heavy  on  his  conscience,  or  because  he 
might  possibly  still  have  to  face  the  pistol  of 
the  injured  husband  .?  No;  he  had  sinned, 
but  he  was  manly  enough  not  to  fear  the 
consequences.      He  was   no  coward. 

But  he  was  ashamed,  and  it  is  this  feeling 
of  shame  which  lowers  a  man  most  irre- 
trievably in   his  own  estimation. 

At  the  same  time  he  was  conscious  of  a 

warm  feeling  of  gratitude  towards  the  man 

who,  though  he  had  been  a  witness  of  his 

guilt,  was   now   magnanimous   enough  only 

68 


Ufc  in  (I  G(ui-fson  Tozcn 


to  point  out  to  him  the  wrong  he  had  done, 
instead  of  surrendering  him  to  the  bullet  of 
an  injured  husband.  And  all  that  he  had 
said,  was  it  not  just  ? 

Borgert  now  rose  and  silently  held  out  his 
hand  to  Pommer  and  looked  him  steadily  in 
the  face,  but  Pommer's  eyes  avoided  his  as 
Borgert  said  very  kindly  : 

"  There,  now,  take  comfort !  Make 
amends  for  what  you  have  done,  and  be 
careful  in   future." 

"  Thank  you,"  Pommer  murmured  bro- 
kenly, his  voice  choked  by  tears.  "  You  have 
given  me  your  word  of  honour  that  this  shall 
go  no  farther  —  not  for  my  own  sake,  but  for 
the  lady's,  who  must  not  be  talked  about  ?  " 

"  I  have  given  you  my  word —  I  shall  be 
silent." 

As  the  Lieutenant  crossed  the  threshold, 
Pommer  followed  him  with  grateful  eyes, 
and  thought  that  this  was  indeed  a  friend  to 
whom  he  owed  his  life. 

That  magnanimous  hero  was  well  satisfied 
with  his  mission.  It  was  an  affair  that  just 
suited  him.  There  was  no  risk ;  on  the 
contrary,  he  played  the  part  of  a  guardian 
angel  bringing  forgiveness  to  the  sinner,  and 
leading  him  back  to  the  paths  of  virtue.      It 

69 


Life  in  a  Ganisoii  Town 


was,  besides,  a  most  entertaining  comedy  to 
see  a  comrade  at  his  feet,  who  had  always 
been  every  inch  a  man,  and  whom  scandal 
had  never  touched.  It  was  a  lucky  chance, 
too,  that  he  could  now  make  use  of  Pom- 
mer's  undoubted  influence  over  the  younger 
officers.  Finally,  there  was  the  further 
piquancy  of  humiliating  Frau  Kahle,  and  of 
asking  her  how  the  affair  had  ended.  He 
had  no  intention  of  sparing  her,  and  he 
looked  forward  with  delight  to  seeing  the 
little  woman  on  her  knees  before  him, 
imploring  him   not  to  betray  her. 

As  Borgert  entered  his  house  he  hummed 
a  lively  song.  Giving  his  man  his  sword, 
cloak  and  helmet,  he  went  upstairs  to  the 
Leimanns. 

He  did  not  find  them  alone.  The  Adju- 
tant was  there ;  he  had  left  the  office  at 
11.30,  as  the  Colonel  had  gone  hunting. 
Frau  Leimann  also  came  in  just  then,  and, 
as  the  two  gentlemen  were  busy  looking  out 
of  the  window  watching  Frau  Konig  ride 
past  with  Lieutenant  Bleibtreu,  Borgert 
seized  both  her  hands  and  covered  them 
with  passionate  kisses. 

Then  in  his  own  witty  way  he  described 
and  acted  for  them,  with  wonderfully  comic 
70 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


gestures,  his  adventure  of  the  morning,  until 
they  were  convulsed  with  laughter. 

In  the  meantime,  Pommer  sat  at  his 
writing-table  and  tried  to  relieve  his  heavy 
heart  in  a  long  letter  to  his  mother.  He 
sang  the  praises  of  his  new  friend  and  he 
extolled  rather  extravagantly  the  nobility  of 
his  thoughts  and  conduct. 

He  had  grown  calmer.  He  still  viewed 
the  events  of  the  preceding  evening  in  the 
same  light,  but  he  judged  them  from  the 
point  of  view  of  a  man  who  knows  that, 
though  he  has  been  guilty  of  a  bad  action, 
it  was  rather  the  result  of  an  unlucky  chance 
than  of  innate  vice. 

About  noon  he  finished  dressing  himself 
so  as  to  call  on  Frau  Kahle,  as  at  this  time 
her  husband  was  usually  away  from  home. 
The  latter  might  possibly  be  indifferent  as 
to  what  a  stranger  had  to  do  with  his  wife, 
still  there  was  no  knowing,  and  it  would 
be  better  so. 

With  a  sense  of  unspeakable  remorse  and 
shame,  he  mounted  the  carpeted  stairs  that 
led  to  Frau  Kahle's  apartments,  and  he  had 
not  long  to  wait  before  he  was  admitted. 

With  a  fiiint  cry  she  hurried  towards  him, 
flung  her  arms  about  his  neck,  and   in  spite 

71 


Life  ill  a  Ganison  Toiim 


of  his  struggles  kissed  him  passionately  on 
the  mouth. 

"  How  I  thank  you  for  coming !  The 
time  seemed  so  long  without  you.  Now 
that  I  have  you  I  am  happy  again  !  My 
husband  will  be  away  till  evening.  Stay 
with  me,  Hans ;  I  cannot  live  without 
you." 

As  she  spoke  she  drew  him  down  beside 
her  on  the  sofa  and  silenced  him  with  burn- 
ing kisses. 

"  I  did  not  sleep  all  night  long,"  she 
whispered ;  "  I  could  not  realise  my  own 
happiness  ;  I  thought  it  must  be  a  dream 
that  I  had  found  in  you  one  I  have  a  right 
to  love  and  who  loves  me.  I  am  so  grate- 
ful to  you,  my  only  love." 

Lieutenant  Pommer  sat  as  if  turned  to 
stone.  He  did  not  utter  a  word  and  silently 
endured  her  caresses. 

Why  had  he  come  ?  Where  were  his 
good  resolutions  ?  To  make  amends  for  the 
wrong  he  had  done,  to  express  his  remorse, 
to  confess  that  all  was  but  the  result  of  a 
moment  of  drunken   passion  ! 

But  now  it  was  impossible.      How  could 
he    brutally  waken    this   loving  woman  out 
of   her    dream?     That    which    honour    had 
72 


Ijifc  in  a  Garrison  7\ni:n 


demanded  was  now  impossible  in  the  face 
of  a  passion  he  had  himself  kindled  in  her 
heart.  No  ;  rather  die  than  confess  that  it 
had  all  been  a  lie,  deception,  and  the  caprice 
of  a  moment.  It  was  not  in  him  to  return 
this  ardent  love  with  such  a  blow. 

And  as  in  an  abandonment  of  love  she 
leaned  her  head  on  his  breast,  his  heart 
throbbed  as  if  it  would  burst,  and  a  sudden 
change  came  over  him.  The  strong  resolute 
man  had  become  the  victim  of  a  mighty 
power —  love. 

His  glances  rested  on  the  woman  he  held 
in  his  arms.  The  soft  folds  of  the  trans- 
parent house-dress  she  wore  revealed  the 
curves  of  her  round  figure,  the  perfume  of  her 
bare  white  arms  from  which  the  lace  sleeves 
had  fallen  bewildered  and  stunned  him  and 
robbed  him  of  the  last  vestige  of  resolution 
and  self-control.  With  a  gesture  of  savage 
passion  he  flung  his  arms  about  her  trembling 
form. 

It  was  already  evening  when  Pommer 
closed  behind  him  the  door  of  the  house  in 
which  Frau  Kahle  lived. 

With  a  haggard  face  and  uncertain  glance 
he  went  along  the  street,  overlooking  even 

73 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


the  soldiers  who  passed  and  saluted  him 
according  to  custom.  He  would  have  passed 
by  Lieutenant  Borgert  had  the  latter  not 
shouted  a  greeting  to  him  across  the  street 
and  startled  him  out  of  his  thoughts. 

He  hesitated,  stood  still,  then  looked 
absently  at  his  comrade,  who  crossed  the 
road  towards  him. 

"  And  how  are  you  now,  my  dear  Pommer  ? 
Quite  recovered  from  your  spree  ?  " 

"  Thanks,  thanks,  I  am  all  right,  quite 
well.  And  —  yes — I  want  to  tell  you  —  I 
have  been  there." 

"  Been  to  see  her  ?  That  is  right.  Every- 
thing settled  ?  " 

"  Of  course,  naturally.  Quite  smooth. 
Everything  in  the  best  order." 

"  Well,  then,  good-bye  !      I  must  be  off." 

"  Good-bye.     Again  my  best  thanks." 

"  But,  my  dear  fellow,  it  was  gladly  done. 
You  saw  I  meant  well  by  you." 

"  Yes  ;  let  us  be  good  friends." 

When  Pommer  reached  home  he  was  in 
despair.     What  had  he  done  ^ 

Instead  of  atoning  for  his  guilt  of  yester- 
day by  a  full  confession,  he  had  sunk  still 
deeper   in   the  mire.      He  had  followed  his 
first  transgression  by  a  terrible  crime,  instead 
74 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


of  struggling  with  all  his  might  against  his 
own  weakness.  More  than  that,  he  had 
deceived  his  friend  and  betrayed  his  trust. 
Thus  had  he  repaid  him  for  his  goodness 
and  generosity. 

Now  it  was  too  late.  There  was  no 
escape  for  him  from  the  bonds  of  falsehood 
and  sin.  Whatever  the  end,  he  must  follow 
the  path  he  had  chosen.  He  tried  to  excuse 
himself  to  his  own  conscience ;  chance  had 
broken  his  will,  and  so  he  had  fallen. 

Weeks  and  months  had  passed.  The 
lovers  met  often,  and  took  long  walks  in  the 
country  together  or  met  "  accidentally "  in 
the  street,  or  wiled  away,  when  the  husband 
was  absent  from  home,  many  a  sweet  and 
stolen  hour  in  Frau  Crete's  boudoir. 

Pommer's  attachment  to  the  unprincipled 
woman  had  at  first  completely  placed  him  at 
her  mercy.  But  the  attraction  had  been 
merely  sensual,  and  he  found  it  impossible 
to  feel  a  deep  and  lasting  affection  for  one 
whose  easy  morals  and  perfect  indifference 
to  her  duties  as  a  wife  and  a  mother,  and 
whose  abandonment  of  herself  to  the  first- 
comer  who  told  her  that  he  loved  her,  had 
taught    him  her  worthlessness ;    and  so  the 

75 


Life  in  a  Gai'rison  Town 

time  came  when  he  began  to  tire  of  the 
passionate,  hysterical  woman.  The  true 
feeHng  that  might  have  given  their  intimacy 
some  moral  support  was  lacking.  Men  are 
easily  satiated  by  pleasures  that  become 
monotonous ;  only  the  happiness  that  is 
deep-rooted  in  the  heart  is  lasting.  So  the 
first  liking  was  followed  in  time  by  active 
aversion  ;  he  felt  an  increasing  disgust  and 
dislike  towards  the  woman  who,  day  by 
day,  lost  more  and  more  of  her  value  and 
betrayed  more  and  more  her  lack  of  all  true 
womanly  feeling,  until  at  last  she  ceased  to 
be  for  him  anything  more  than  the  female 
offered  by  Nature  to  the  male. 

The  more  this  feeling  increased,  the  more 
trifling  seemed  the  fault  which  he  had  once 
considered  his  dishonour  and  the  sin  which 
had  formerly  burdened  his  conscience. 

But  he  had  not  the  heart  to  confess  that 
he  was  tired  of  her,  and  that  her  charms  had 
ceased  to  attract  him  ;  to  do  so  seemed  to 
him  unmanly  and  ungrateful,  for,  after  all, 
she  had  given   him   many   happy   hours. 

He   would    not   write,   considering  it   too 

dangerous,    for    should    his    letter    fall    by 

accident  into  the  hands  of  the  unsuspecting 

husband,  there    might    be   a    tragic   ending 

76 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


to  the  story  even  now.  She  was  not 
worth  it. 

Could  Pommer  have  read  Frau  Crete's 
secret  thoughts,  had  he  known  more  of 
women,  he  would  have  recognised  at  once 
that  only  a  word  was  needed  to  put  an  end 
to  it  all,  for  she  also  had  long  ceased  to  find 
any  pleasure  in  the  love  of  a  man  who 
seemed  to  her  too  pedantic,  too  awkward 
and  too  ungainly,  to  whom  compliments 
were  an  effort  and  who  would  not  make 
love  without  incitement. 

She  demanded  a  stormy,  passionate,  self- 
abandonment  without  perpetual  scruples 
about  right  and  wrong!  The  man  to  whom 
she  gave  her  love  must  drink  the  over- 
flowing cup  to  the  dregs  and  then  demand 
it  again  and  again! 

When  the  news  was  brought  to  Pommer 
one  day  that  he  had  been  transferred  to 
another  garrison  with  the  advancement  to 
the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant,  it  cost  him 
no  pang  to  take  leave  of  Frau   Kahle. 

"  I  am  going  away,"  he  said  coldly,  "  and 
we  shall  probably  never  see  each  other 
again." 

With  a  cry  she  fell  on  the  couch  nnd  lay 
as  if  crushed. 

77 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Town 


Whereupon  Pommer  opened  the  door 
noiselessly  and  disappeared.  As  for  Frau 
Kahle  she  watched  him  from  the  window, 
and  when  he  had  turned  the  corner  she  flung 
open  the  piano  and  played  a  rattling,  joyous 
waltz  of  Strauss.  As,  however,  it  occurred 
to  her  that  she  might  be  considered  unfeeling 
if  she  took  the  separation  so  lightly,  she 
wrote  a  long  letter  of  eight  pages  to  Lieu- 
tenant Borgert  in  which  she  gave  passionate 
expression  to  the  grief  and  wrongs  of  a 
forsaken  woman. 

So  full  were  her  words  of  a  deep,  un- 
utterable grief,  so  touching  was  her  despair 
at  the  loss  of  her  lover,  that  no  one  could 
dream  she  was  only  playing  a  part,  like 
Ophelia  or  Desdemona,  with  consummate 
skill. 

When  Borgert  read  the  letter  that  night 
to  the  assembled  officers  in  the  casino  there 
was  a  silent  expression  of  respectful  sym- 
pathy. 

Suddenly  one  among  them  with  a  sly 
and  comprehensive  smile  cried  : 

"Bosh!" 

Did  he  know  from  experience  ? 


78 


Chapter  III 

SERGEANT-MAJOR    ROTH    was 
sitting    late    one    autumn     afternoon 
with    Sergeant    Schmitz    at   a   coffee- 
table  in   his  cosily   heated  parlour. 

The  room  on  the  first  floor  of  the  bar- 
racks presented  at  first  sight  an  appearance 
of  luxury,  and  one  could  almost  fancy  that 
some  member  of  the  "  Upper  Ten  "  had 
pitched  his  tent  here,  till  on  nearer  view  the 
decorations  proved  to  be  mostly  shoddy  and 
pretentious,  revealing  in  their  cheap  splen- 
dour that  striving  after  an  effect  of  style 
which  is  really  best  attained  by  simplicity. 

The  green  and  blue  coloured  wall-paper 
was  in  places  completely  hidden  by  huge 
pictures  in  heavy  oak  and  gilt  frames.  A 
reproduction  of  Lenbach's  "  Prince  Bis- 
marck "  hung  over  the  red  plush  sofa,  and 
to  right  and  left  of  it  two  portraits  of  horses 
painted  in  oils.  Against  the  opposite  wall 
stood  a  piano  of  imitation  ebony  with  silver 
candle-sconces,  though  neither  the  Sergeant- 

79 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Major  nor  his  wife,  who  had  been  a  shop- 
girl, could  play.  A  history  was  attached  to 
this  piano  on  which  one  of  the  younger  non- 
commissioned officers  of  the  regiment  regu- 
larly every  Sunday  thumped  out  the  "  Blue 
Danube  Waltz  "  with  a  monotonous  accom- 
paniment of  chords.  The  eye  of  its  owner 
never  rested  on  it  without  a  certain  fierce 
resentment  against  the  innocent  "  wire  ma- 
chine." In  the  first  year  of  their  married 
life  Frau  Sergeant  had  complained  bitterly 
of  not  having  a  grand  piano  or  even  a  cottage 
piano  to  call  her  own,  especially  as  their 
colleagues  of  the  second  squad  possessed  an 
instrument.  She  deplored  the  lack  of  this 
hall  mark  of  gentility  all  the  more,  because 
she  had  frequently  boasted  of  having  taken 
lessons  in  her  youth. 

Roth  used  to  talk  big  to  the  one-year 
volunteers  of  the  squadron  of  his  wife's 
musical  talents,  and  never  failed  to  lay  stress 
on  the  fact  that  these  were  becoming  sadly 
rusty,  because  he  had  not  the  means  to 
provide  her  with  a  pianette.  Therefore  he 
was  hardly  surprised  when  one  day  the 
black  "caterwauling  case"  as  he  dubbed  it, 
facetiously,  appeared  in  his  salon  with  an 
'epistolatory  dedication  from  its  generous 
80 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


donors.  But  when  the  time  came  for  the 
one-year  volunteers  to  get  their  discharge, 
a  van  drove  up  to  the  horrified  Sergeant's 
door  to  take  the  piano  away  again  ;  for  it 
had  only  been  hired  for  six  months.  Rather 
than  be  the  object  of  his  comrades'  scorn 
and  derision,  and  in  compliance  with  his 
wife's  entreaties.  Roth  consented  to  pur- 
chase the  piano  by  monthly  instalments  of 
lo  marks.  The  luckless  piano  stood  thus 
unused  against  the  wall,  while  the  bill,  a 
long  way  from  being  paid  off,  swallowed 
every  first  of  the  month  a  precious  lo  mark 
gold-piece.  Hence  the  Sergeant- Major's 
ire  at  the  presence  of  this  useless  ornament 
to  his  quarters.  Above  the  piano  rioted  an 
enormous  lithograph  of  Vernet's  well-known 
"  Funeral  Feasts,"  in  a  heavy  brocade  frame 
to  the  corners  of  which  trumpery  Japanese 
fans  were  fastened. 

A  mahogany  what-not  stood  near  the 
piano  with  six  green  wine  glasses  ;  this  time 
a  present  paid  for  in  hard  cash  by  former 
one-yearers.  There  was  also  a  heavy  oak 
writing-table,  on  the  corner  of  which  stood 
a  birdcage  filled  with  yellow  feathered  occu- 
pants ;  whereas  a  ruler,  a  massive  inkstand 
composed  of  stagshorn  bars,  a  penholder  and 
6  8i 


Life  in  a  G-a?yison  Town 


blotting-book  represented  the  usual  equip- 
ment of  this  article  of  furniture.  A  life-size 
picture  of  the  Kaiser  hung  over  the  writing- 
table.  It  was  surrounded  by  antlers,  and 
beneath  it  were  a  pair  of  crossed  sabres  and 
a  cuckoo  clock.  In  the  window  stood  a 
large  table  of  flowers  which  on  close  inspec- 
tion proved  to  be  blossoms  not  produced  by 
a  hot-house,  but  by  the  scissors  of  an  expert 
artificial  flower  manufacturer. 

The  floor  was  covered  with  two  white 
fur  rugs,  three  pieces  of  carpet  as  well  as  a 
genuine  tiger-skin  underneath  the  sofa  table, 
on  which  was  a  plush  tablecloth  with  great 
tassels  almost  sweeping  the  ground. 

The  prospect  from  the  two  windows, 
which  looked  east  and  were  draped  with 
ponderous  curtains,  was  to-day  one  of 
masses  of  dark  cloud  scudding  across  the 
sky,  a  uniformly  colourless  sea,  and  occa- 
sional showers  of  cold  drenching  rain  or 
hail,  that,  driven  before  the  howling  wind, 
swept  over  the  town  and  desolate  fields  like 
monstrous  waves. 

With  the  rain  beating  against  the  panes  and 

the  wind  whistling    in   the  stove   pipe,   the 

comfortable  warmth  of  the  room  was  all  the 

more  to    be  appreciated,  and  the  comrades 

82 


Life  in  a  G unison  Town 

to    be    pitied    who    were    on     duty    out    of 
doors. 

This  was  the  time  when  every  year  the 
regiment  brought  its  Reservists  under  shelter 
in  the  huts  at  the  back  of  the  barracks.  In 
dogs'  weather  such  as  this  it  was  not  pleasant 
to  be  obliged  to  hang  about  the  parade- 
ground,  and  the  recruiting  sergeants  were 
objects  of  envy,  because  they  were  allowed 
to  hold  their  drill  in  the  stable  or  to  give 
their  instructions  in  theory  in  the  barrack- 
rooms. 

The  Reserve  had  its  advantages  —  you  got 
additional  pay,  and  Roth,  who  was  attached 
to  the  first  division  of  the  Reserve,  was  well 
satisfied.  Further  you  met  amongst  them 
now  and  then  old  acquaintances,  earlier  one- 
year  volunteers  who  when  in  the  Reserve 
kept  mostly  open  purse,  if  by  so  doing  they 
could  get  their  duty  lightened. 

Schmitz  was  forage-master  to  the  fourth 
squadron,  and  likewise  told  off  to  the  Reserve. 
Anyone  who  wished  to  be  convinced  of  the 
excellent  manner  in  which  he  filled  his  post, 
had  only  to  cast  a  glance  at  the  horses  and 
see  how  their  coats  shone,  and  how  plump 
and  clean  they  stood  in  their  straw.  The 
stable  itself  was  a  model  of  cleanliness  ;  not  a 
«3 


Life  in  a  Ga?Tison  Town 

single  wisp  of  hay  straggled  out  of  the  mangers 
on  to  the  clean  scoured  dam,  while  the  walls 
were  newly  whitewashed,  and  the  windows 
bright  and  clear. 

When  Schmitz  passed  up  the  stable  be- 
tween the  rows  of  horses  it  was  amusing  to 
see  how  all  the  animals  instantly  knew  his 
step  and  voice,  how  they  turned  their  heads 
towards  him  and  neighed  softly,  as  he  called 
one  or  other  of  his  favourites.  There  was 
"  Klarchen,"  a  charming  little  chestnut,  who 
followed  him  about  like  a  dog,  and  always 
put  her  nose  in  his  pocket  to  sniff  for  sugar. 
She  would  stand  on  her  hind  legs  and  beg 
with  one  upHfted  fore-foot.  Then  there  was 
the  "  grandmother,"  an  old  horse  with  coal- 
black  glossy  hair,  who  because  of  its  age  was 
everyone's  pet,  and  often  plied  with  dainties. 

But  the  special  pride  were  the  twelve 
Chinese.  They  had  taken  part  in  the 
Asiatic  campaign,  and  had  then  been  incor- 
porated with  the  regiment.  Beautiful  horses 
they  were,  with  splendid  coats  and  powerful 
haunches,  though  not  all  of  them  were  so 
big  as  "  Pecho,"  "  Wei  "  and  "  Kwang-su." 

The  two  friends  still  sat  chatting  over  the 
coffee-cups  when  Frau  Roth  came  in.     She 
was  a  brunette  of  medium  height  with  little 
84 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


eyes  and  beaked  nose.  Her  face  resembled  a 
bird's,  though  the  wavy  chestnut  brown  hair 
lent  a  certain  charm  to  a  head  that  was  not 
beautiful.  She  carried  a  tray  covered  with 
an  embroidered  serviette  on  which  stood  a 
bottle  of  Moselle,  three  glasses  and  a  box  of 
cigars. 

"  By  Jove,  Roth,  this  is  a  ripping  blow- 
out and  no  mistake  !  "  exclaimed  Schmitz  in 
astonishment. 

"  One  can  only  have  a  birthday  once  a 
year,"  said  Roth,  "so  one  ought  to  make 
the  most  of  it.      Fill  up,  old  woman." 

Frau  Roth  obeyed  till  the  glasses  were 
full  to  the  brim  and  nearly  overflowed. 
With  a  jovial  "  Here's  to  you,"  all  at  one 
draught  drained  the  sparkling  fluid.  Then 
they  raised  their  glasses  once  more,  and 
clinked  them,  looking  into  each  other's  eyes. 
This  ceremony  they  had  copied  from  their 
superior  officers.  Both  men  lit  a  cigar  which 
in  honour  of  the  day  wore  a  label,  and  filled 
their  glasses  anev/.  There  was  still  an  hour 
before  the  evening  duty  in  the  stable.  Earlier 
there  was  nothing  to  do,  because  Lieutenant 
Specht,  who  commanded  the  Reserve  squad- 
ron, never  came  on  duty  of  an  afternoon,  so 
they  might  enjov  themselves  in  peace. 

85 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"  Do  you  spend  Christmas  on  leave  ?  " 
Roth  inquired  of  his  friend. 

"  Don't  know  yet,"  Schmitz  answered, 
shrugging  his  shoulders.  "  I  should  like  to, 
for  it  is  getting  on  for  two  years  now  since  I 
was  out  of  this  beastly  hole.  But  it  takes 
forty-eight  hours  to  get  home  from  this  out- 
landish place,  and  if  you  take  four  days  out 
of  the  six  for  travelling  the  game  is  scarcely 
worth  the  candle.  Besides  it's  a  cursed  ex- 
pensive trip." 

"  What  does  it  cost  ?  " 

"  About  30  marks,  and  I  haven't  got  it  to 
spare." 

Roth  smiled  contemptuously. 

*'  So  it's  a  few  shekels  that  you  let  stand 
in  your  way.      I  call  that  shabby." 

"  Shekels  are  nothing  to  you,  of  course. 
But  to  me  who  have  none  it's  different." 

"  Can  I  oblige  you  with  a  trifle  ?  " 

"  I  say,  old  man,  have  you  won  a  lottery 
prize  ?  You  have  been  living  like  a  fighting- 
cock  lately,  taking  the  train  into  the  town 
every  day  and  smoking  twopenny  cigars, 
and  now  you  offer  to  lend !  You  must  have 
come  in  for  a  fortune." 

"  If  I  have,  no  one  has  kicked  the  bucket 
and  left  it  to  me,"  Roth  said,  laughing 
86 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


boisterously.  "The  great  thing  in  this 
life  is  to  look  out  for  what  comes  in  one's 
way." 

"  Have  you  got  on  the  blind  side  of  a 
Jew?" 

"  Not  exactly." 

"  What  do  you  mean  then  ?    Give  me  the 

tip. 

Roth  winked  at  his  wife  and  then  at 
Schmitz.  It  would  not  do  for  his  wife  to 
hear,  but  directly  she  rose  to  fetch  another 
bottle  of  wine,  Roth  began  in  a  whisper. 

"  I  can  tell  you,  but,"  he  laid  his  finger 
significantly  on  his  mouth,  "  no  blabbing." 

"  Trust  me.  I  am  not  the  man  to  split 
on  you." 

"  You  know  I  have  got  the  second  Re- 
serve at  present.  Last  time  most  of  them 
were  old  one-yearers  —  rich  young  farmers 
and  the  like.  You  remember  the  fat  young 
shopkeeping  swine,  and  Rosbach,  who  had 
a  dozen  horses  in  the  stable  at  home,  and 
Scheller,  the  petticoat  hunter,  and  the  rest 
of  that  lot  ?  The  fellows  don't  know  what 
to  do  with  all  their  money.  So  Devil  take 
me,  think  I,  when  I  give  them  out  their 
uniform  and  pay,  if  it  matters  to  them  about 
a  scurvy  groschen  or  two  !  As  to  Scheller  I 
87 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


reaped  a  little  harvest  through  him  into  the 
bargain.  The  night  before  they  were  dis- 
charged I  go  round  and  look  into  matters  to 
see  that  all  is  in  order,  and  there  if  I  did  not 
find  my  gallant  gentleman  in  company  with 
a  woman  !  I  was  just  going  to  let  out  when 
he  says  in  my  ear,  '  Mum's  the  word.  Ser- 
geant !  '  Well,  then  I  hold  my  tongue,  and 
the  next  day  at  noon  the  blue  corner  of  a 
banknote  was  sticking  out  of  my  cloak." 

"  Lord,  man !  How  do  you  do  the 
trick  ?  What  if  some  of  them  should  give 
you  away  later  ?  " 

"  Not  one  of  'em  will  breathe  a  word. 
They  are  only  too  glad  to  shake  the  dust 
of  the  barracks  off  their  feet." 

"  Hum  !  I  should  be  afraid  of  a  row  if  I 
were  you." 

"  But  there's  no  chance  of  it.  Just  now 
I  have  another  lot  of  fat  creatures  on  hand. 
The  wealthy  butcher's  son  from  Brunswick, 
and  a  couple  of  brothers  stinking  of  money, 
I  can  tell  you.  Shall  I  be  fool  enough  to 
pay  them  the  few  paltry  marks  to  waste  on 
drink  ?  No,  not  I  !  I  take  care  of  them 
myself.     So,  prost !  " 

The  glasses  clinked  merrily  and  the  next 
moment  were  empty  again. 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

"  How  do  you  like  this  stuff?  Cost  three 
marks  the  bottle." 

"  Damned  dear !  Where  does  it  come 
from  ?" 

"  Part  of  last  year's  spoils.  You  remem- 
ber the  one-year  man  Rosner?  His  getting 
rank  as  non-commissioned  officer  seemed  to 
hang  fire,  so  I  interfered,  and  interested 
myself  with  the  chief  a  little  on  his  behalf, 
and  he  got  his  gold  lace.  Sent  me  a  case 
of  wine  in  return.      Decent  chap,  eh  ?  " 

"  Rather !  " 

"You  see,  old  man,  there's  nothing  like 
being  practical.  Up  till  last  year,  as  you 
know,  I  was  in  charge  of  the  commissariat. 
The  butcher  gave  no  end  of  trouble,  and 
said  in  answer  to  complaints  that  he  must 
send  bones  or  there  couldn't  be  fair  weight. 
Now  and  then  the  meat  was  beastly  bad, 
often  too  fat  or  too  stringy.  When  at  last  I 
fumed  about  it  and  threatened  to  report 
him,  he  said,  '  Don't  split.  Sergeant,  and  I'll 
never  forget  it  of  you.'  Since  then  I  get 
my  own  meat  of  him,  and  he  gives  me  de- 
cent weight,  I  must  admit.  But  the  day 
before  yesterday  the  meat  seemed  to  me  in- 
ferior, and  so  when  I  saw  him  standing  in 
front  of  his  shop-door  I  gave  him  a  reminder 
89 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


and  said,  *  My  boy,  look  out ! '  and  yester- 
day there  came  gratis  that  joint  of  irreproach- 
able roasting  pork  which  my  old  woman 
cooked  to-day.  Yes,  my  friend,  the  straight 
tip  is  to  save  in  one  place  and  profit  in 
another." 

The  Sergeant- Major  grinned  and  tapped 
his  trouser  pocket  in  the  depths  of  which 
rattled  a  well  filled  purse.  Then  he  tossed 
oflF  another  glass  of  wine. 

"  Drink,  man,  you  are  not  drunk  already  ?  " 

"  Drunk  or  no,  it's  not  easy  to  stop.  So 
here's  '  Good  Health.'  " 

In  this  strain  the  conversation  proceeded. 
After  a  third  bottle  had  been  emptied  it  was 
easy  to  see,  judging  by  their  looks,  that  they 
would  not  be  able  to  stand  much  more. 
Their  eyes  had  a  glazed,  watery  stare  and 
their  faces  were  flushed  scarlet  from  the  un- 
wonted indulgence  in  Moselle.  They  grew 
loud  and  stuttering  in  their  speech,  and  Roth 
especially  could  scarcely  articulate  a  coherent 
sentence.  Suddenly  he  looked  at  the  clock. 
It  was  six,  the  hour  for  evening  duty  in  the 
stable. 

"  Come,  Schmitz,"  said  Roth,  "  we  must 
be  off  to  the  stable ;  the  beasts  will  be 
hungry." 

90 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


They  staggered  on  to  their  feet.  Roth 
buckled  on  his  sabre  and  the  two  topers 
stumbled  down  the  stone  staircase  of  the 
barrack.  Roth  let  his  sabre  drag  behind 
him,  and  it  was  a  funny  sight  to  watch  how 
the  heavy  weapon  bumped  clanking  from 
step  to  step. 

Many  of  the  men  stuck  their  heads  out  at 
their  doors  full  of  curiosity  to  see  who  was 
coming,  and  when  they  beheld  their  con- 
vivial superiors  they  thought  to  themselves, 
*'They  have  had  a  drop  too  much.  If 
one  of  us  reeled  about  the  barracks  in 
that  besotted  condition  we  should  soon  be 
dropped  on." 

At  the  exit  from  the  building  Lance- 
Corporal  Dietrich  of  the  fourth  squad 
stepped  up  to  Roth,  "  I  wish  to  ask  you, 
Herr  Wachtmeister,  to  be  so  good  as  to 
give  out  a  few  coals  for  Room  X ;  our 
ride  was  for  foraging  and  we  are  all  wet 
through.  It  is  cold  upstairs,  and  with- 
out fire  our  clothes  will  not  be  dry  by  the 
morning." 

"  What  !  Coals  indeed !  Go  to  the 
Quartermaster  !  I've  no  coal  for  you 
scoundrels,"   hiccuped   Roth. 

"The     Quartermaster    is     in    town     and 

9^ 


Life  ill  a  Gariison  Town 


the  Herr  Wachtmeister  has  the  key  of  the 
cellar." 

"  Get  out  of  my  way.  You  don't  want  coal 
because  of  a  few  drops  of  rain.  Go  to  bed 
if  you  are  freezing,  you  low  pack  of  swine." 

The  Corporal  hesitated  a  moment,  then 
with  an  indignant  face  he  went  back  into  the 
barrack.  The  stable-yard  was  by  this  time 
empty  again,  the  men  having  gone  back  to 
their  rooms  after  pulling  out  the  hay  and 
watering  the  horses.  Only  the  stable-guard 
was  still  present. 

One  of  them,  a  corporal,  had  in  civil  life 
become  so  fat  that  the  Quartermaster,  with 
the  best  intention  in  the  world,  couldn't 
find  a  coat  to  fit  the  "  over-fed  reservist- 
hound,"  so  the  unfortunate  man  had  to  go 
on  duty  in  a  fustian  suit  as  stable-guard. 
The  second  man  in  the  guard  was  consump- 
tive. It  had  only  been  discovered  a  week 
after  he  came,  and  now  there  was  no  object 
in  discharging  him,  as  in  the  stable  he  was 
not  exposed  to  hardships.  The  third  came 
from  Poland,  was  half  imbecile  and  grinned 
perpetually  like  a  lunatic  ;  he  was  unavailable 
for  service,  for  he  addressed  his  superiors  as 
"  thou,"  and  paid  them  the  honour  of  taking 
off  his  cap  to  them. 

92 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


The  forage-master  was  alarmed  to  find 
the  feeding-hour  so  long  gone  by,  for  his 
worst  enemy  could  not  deny  that  he  was 
scrupulous  in  the  care  of  the  beasts  committed 
to  his  charge.  He  called  the  stable-guard 
impatiently,  and  goaded  them  into  hurrying 
with  a  "  run,  you  lazy  lumps."  The  little 
forage-cart  was  filled  with  oats  and  corn  and 
driven  into  the  stable-lane.  The  crunching 
of  its  wheels  was  the  sweetest  music  of  the 
day  to  the  horses.  As  they  heard  it  now  a 
new  life  came  into  the  animals  that  had 
been  standing  hitherto  with  listlessly  hang- 
ing heads,  for  they  had  begun  to  think  their 
supper  had  been  forgotten.  They  plunged 
wildly  about  in  the  boxes,  butting  and  lick- 
ing each  other,  and  kicked  out  exuberantly. 
The  rattle  of  chains,  combined  with  the 
neighing  and  whinnying  of  the  horses,  made 
quite  a  din  and  tumult.  "  Napoleon  "  was 
so  mad  with  hunger  that  out  of  pure  joy  he 
greeted  the  fat  corporal  as  he  swung  the 
fodder  towards  him  with  a  blow  in  the 
stomach,  which  made  him  drop  the  oats  and 
press  his  hands  against  the  injured  spot  with 
a  face  distorted  by  pain. 

The  Sergeant-Major  saw  this  happen  and 
shouted  to  him. 

93 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"Go  on!  Pick  it  up  !  A  pat  like  that 
won't  hurt  your  big  paunch." 

But  the  Corporal  showed  no  sign  of  obey- 
ing the  order  and  still  held  his  stomach, 
while  tears  started  to  his  eyes.  Then  Roth 
wheeled  round  on  him,  cuffed  him  in  the 
back  with  his  fist,  took  hold  of  his  throat 
from  behind  and  pressed  him  down  on  the 
ground  with  such  force  that  the  blood 
mounted  to  the  poor  fellow's  ^ead  as  he 
grovelled  for  the  upset  oats  among  the 
straw.  When  he  had  finished  Roth  gave 
him  another  shove  that  brought  him  in  con- 
tact with  "  Napoleon's  "  hind-leg,  to  which 
he  clung  in  terror  of  falling  under  the  horse's 
hoofs. 

This  was  a  little  more  than  "  Napoleon  " 
could  treat  as  a  joke.  First,  no  fodder  and 
then  such  a  liberty  taken  with  his  leg.  He 
struck  out  with  both  powerful  hind-legs  and 
hurled  the  poor  Corporal  out  into  the  stable 
lane,  where  he  lay  unconscious. 

For  a  moment  Roth  was  frightened. 

Luckily  no  one  had  witnessed  the  inci- 
dent, as  Schmitz  was  busy  at  the  end  of  the 
stable  with  the  other  two.  So  he  called  the 
two  reservists  and  ordered  them  to  carry 
the  unconscious  man  into  the  quarter-room. 

94 


Life  in  a  Gcu^rison  Town 


It  was  likely  to  be  a  serious  business,  for  the 
poor  fellow  had  been  kicked  in  the  face. 

The  next  morning  when  the  First  Lieu- 
tenant inquired  why  the  Corporal  was  in 
hospital   Roth  answered. 

"  He  blundered  up  to  one  of  the  horses 
clumsily  and  frightened  it  so  much  that  it 
struck  out  and  hit  him  on  the  head." 

"  What  an  ass  !  "  said  the  First  Lieutenant 
angrily.  "  By  rights  the  fellow  should  be 
kept  locked  up  for  spoiling  the  horses." 

The  Sergeant- Major  was  put  out  of  tem- 
per for  the  rest  of  the  evening.  Quiet  again 
reigned  in  the  stable,  only  the  sound  of  the 
horses  munching  the  oats  was  to  be  heard. 

Roth  looked  into  the  fodder-bin. 

"  Give  what's  left  to  '  Zeus.'  He's  lean," 
he  said  to  Schmitz. 

"  No.  ni  give  him  no  more,  he's  had 
enough ;  besides,  he  kicked  someone  this 
morning.  The  brute  goes  nearly  crazy 
penned  up  in  his  box  all  day  lame,  and 
devouring  such   a  heap  of  oats." 

"  Give  him  the  rest,  he  can  stand  it." 

"  But  why  ?      It's  more  than  his  share." 

The  Sergeant-Major  grew  purple  in  the 
face.  Nothing  made  him  so  furious  as  to 
be  contradicted. 

95 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


"  Give  him  the  rest,  I  say,"  he  blustered 
forth  once  more  to  Schmitz. 

But  Schmitz  shut  down  the  cover  of  the 
bin  and  replied  shortly : 

"  I  am  always  glad  when  I  can  economise." 

Roth  roared  out  in  a  towering  rage : 

"  Sergeant  Schmitz,  you  refuse  then  to 
carry  out  my  order  ?      I  shall  report  you." 

So  saying  he  turned  his  back  on  the 
dumbfounded  forage-master,  and  with  a 
scowling  countenance  reeled  out  of  the  stable 
to  his  quarters  where  he  drained  a  glass  of 
schnaps  to  compose  his  nerves  and  threw 
himself  on  the  bed  in  his  uniform. 

The  consumptive  and  the  Pole  stuck 
another  handful  of  hay  in  the  manger  of  each 
horse,  and  lay  down  to  sleep  on  the  straw  in  a 
corner  of  the  stable. 

Sergeant  Schmitz  went  to  his  room  full  of 
thought. 

At  noon  the  next  day  an  orderly  of  the 
regiment's  reserve  squadron  handed  him  a 
document  that  ran  as  follows  :  — 


Report. 

Yesterday  during  the  evening  stable-duty 
Sergeant- Major  Roth,  who  was  superintend- 

96 


Life  ill  a  Garrison  Toivu 


ing  the  same,  issued  a  command  to  Sergeant 
Schmitz  which  the  latter  did  not  carry  out. 
When  Sergeant- Major  Roth  repeated  the 
command  with  emphasis,  Sergeant  Schmitz 
again  refused  to  follow  it.  The  incident  took 
place  in  the  presence  of  the  stable-guard. 
Further  the  said  Sergeant  Schmitz,  according 
to  the  evidence  of  the  said  Roth,  was  drunk. 
—  (Signed)  Sfecht,  First-Lieutenant  of  the 
Squadron  and  Officer  in  Command  of  the  ind 
Reserve. 

The  forage-master  was  at  his  dinner  when 
the  sergeant  for  the  week  came  up  to  him, 
declared  him  under  arrest  and  took  him  to  the 
local  police-station,  where  he  was  to  await  a 
final  decision  on  the  case  —  his  offence  was 
described  as  a  distinct  refusal  of  obedience 
in  the  presence  of  an  assemblage  of  troops. 
Thus  the  two  sentinels  of  the  stable-guard 
counted  as  an  assemblage  of  troops. 

News  of  the  occurrence  spread  like  wildfire 
from  mouth  to  mouth.  Everyone  was  indig- 
nant at  Roth's  harsh  and  high-handed 
conduct,  and  the  officers  themselves  were 
unanimous  in  their  opinion  that  such  a  bully 
ought  to  be  dismissed. 

But  Roth  himself  felt  very  important  and 
7  97 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


conscious  of  having  performed  an  heroic  act. 
Off  duty  he  was  a  comrade  who  would  allow 
you  to  crack  a  joke  with  him  and  not  spoil 
sport,  but  once  on  duty,  the  devil  !  Then 
shouldn't  the  common  soldier  learn  to  know 
his  place!  then  all  familiarity  was  at  an  end, 
and  it  was,  "  I  command  and  you  obey,  or 
I'll  break  your  neck."  Meanwhile  Sergeant 
Schmitz  sat  inert  in  his  cold,  dreary  cell. 
All  day  he  had  stared  at  the  uneven  stone 
floor,  and  believed  he  must  be  dreaming. 
He  could  not,  no,  he  could  not  believe  that, 
on  account  of  a  military  misdemeanour,  he 
had  really  been  put  behind  bolts  and  bars. 
After  nine  long  years  of  service  in  which  he 
had  conducted  himself  blamelessly  without 
ever  once  being  punished. 

Only  by  degrees  he  awoke  to  a  conscious- 
ness of  how  serious  his  position  was,  and  at 
the  same  time  there  grew  up  within  him  a 
burning  hatred  of  the  man  whom  he  had 
regarded  as  a  friend,  who  in  a  rage  induced 
by  drink  had  torn  from  him  the  fruits  of  his 
unblemished  past  and  blasted  his  future. 
Directly  he  was  free  again  he  would  show 
him  up,  the  knave  !  The  low  sordid  nature 
beneath  the  rascal's  plausible  exterior  should 
be  hidden  from  no  one. 

98 


IJJ'c  in  a  Garrison  Town 


There  seemed  to  him  little  doubt  that  he 
would  be  brought  before  a  court-martial.  As 
the  matter  stood  it  was  on  the  surface  dis- 
tinctly an  insubordination,  but  the  trial  must 
lay  bare  the  circumstances  that  led  up  to  the 
apparent  breach  of  discipline.  The  Court 
would  have  to  take  into  consideration  every 
aggravation  given,  and  afterwards  only  deal 
with  the  quarrel,  to  which  a  purely  profes- 
sional character  might  be  falsely  attributed  if 
the  friendly  relations  which  had  existed  be- 
tween Roth  and  Schmitz  up  to  the  moment 
of  the  punishable  action  were  not  borne  in 
mind. 

This  point  must  be  elucidated  at  the  in- 
quiry with  skill  and  penetration,  for  the  result 
depended  on  it. 

Sergeant  Schmitz  therefore  applied  to  the 
regiment  for  an  advocate,  and  at  the  same 
time  for  permission  to  communicate  with 
him  either  by  letter  or  word  of  mouth.  He 
was  not  a  little  taken  aback  when  after  a  few 
days  the  information  reached  him  that  a 
military  tribunal  could  only  provide  counsel 
for  the  defence  in  the  final  trial  of  a  misde- 
meanour, but  there  was  no  hindrance  to  the 
prisoner  engaging  an  advocate  at  his  own 
expense  and  holding  consultation  with  him 

99 


Life  ill  a  Garrison  Town 

during  the  inquiry.  So  this  was  the  state 
of  things.  And  where  was  he  to  get  money 
for  his  defence  ?  Without  counsel  he  felt 
there  was  small  prospect  of  success,  that  he 
would  be  at  a  disadvantage  before  the  glib- 
tongued  Roth  and  his  judges. 

He  could  not  set  forth  all  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case  in  the  right  light  which 
seemed  to  him  so  important  for  clearing  up 
the  matter.  There  was  no  help  for  it ;  the 
money  must  be  found. 

After  three  weeks  of  preliminary  inquiry, 
a  day  was  at  length  appointed  for  the  pro- 
ceedings. Schmitz  now  awaited  the  result 
with  calmness,  for  his  advocate  had  pro- 
nounced it  a  certainty  that  the  case  must  go 
in  his  favour,  so  soon  as  the  judges  had  a 
clear  sketch  laid  before  them  of  all  the  cir- 
cumstances and  of  Roth's  conduct.  Schmitz 
looked  forward  therefore  to  the  day  as  the 
moment  of  release  from  the  solitude  and 
wretchedness  of  the  last  three  weeks. 

Not  that  the  charge  sheet  which  was  at 
last  laid  before  him  sounded  very  propitious, 
but  he  would  not  let  it  depress  him,  believ- 
ing it  to  represent  the  affair  in  the  worst 
light  possible  in  order  that  a  motive  might 
be  found  for  the  proceedings  at  all. 

lOO 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicti 


It  ran :  — 

"  Sergeant  Ferdinand  Jvi^'iu,^/  Schmitz  is 
charged  and  liable  to  punishment  for  offend- 
ing against  Clause  ().\.  of'the  Miiitat-y.  St'a"t'*lt'2 
Book.  Although  the  accused  asserts  that 
he  stood  in  particularly  friendly  relations  to 
Sergeant- Major  Roth,  it  is  impossible  to  see 
in  that  circumstance  any  reason  which  justi- 
fies his  failing  to  carry  out  a  command  when 
on  duty. 

"  Moreover  the  disobedience  occurred 
after  a  command  given  twice  with  emphasis 
in  presence  of  the  stable-guard,  thus  before 
assembled  troops. 

"  The  plea  made  by  the  accused  that  in 
consequence  of  over-indulgence  in  wine  he 
was  in  an  excited  condition  does  not  extenu- 
ate his  fault.  On  the  contrary,  the  fact  of 
bringing  drunkenness  into  the  sphere  of  duty 
is  only  likely  to  be  a  reason  for  increasing 
the  penalty. 

"  Final  decision  on  the  case  will  be  given 
by  a  court-martial." 

The  language  was  ominous  certainly.  As 
if  he  were  a  criminal  of  the  blackest  dye  —  he 
who  for  nine  years  had  served  the  regiment 
without  reproach  !  He  could  almost  have 
laughed  over  the  charge;  it  contained  such 

lOI 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Totcn 


a  trumped-up  and  one-sided  view  of  the 
case. 

On  the  20th  of  October  at  noon  the  pro- 
ceedings oega  ft.   . 

The  judges  had  come  over  from  the 
country-seat  of  the  General  in  command  of 
the  regiment,  and  sat  with  serious  faces  at 
the  long  table,  a  major,  a  captain,  a  first 
lieutenant,  a  court-martial  barrister  to  lead 
the  case  and  another  who  read  the  charge. 

After  Schmitz  had  again  given  his  version 
of  the  affair,  Roth  was  called  as  witness. 
He  put  the  whole  matter  in  the  very  darkest 
light.  He  disowned  ever  having  had  any 
friendship  with  Schmitz  and  denied  most 
emphatically  being  drunk,  as  Schmitz  had 
affirmed.  He  had  got  the  consumptive  and 
the  Pole  to  bear  witness  to  his  sobriety. 
The  latter  had  been  instructed  by  Roth  to 
shake  his  head  in  response  to  all  questions, 
a  method  which  met  with  success  as  it 
chanced  to  be  most  damaging  to  the  ac- 
cused. Finally  the  Sergeant- Major,  with 
great  solemnity  and  in  steady  voice,  swore 
that  he  was  speaking  the  truth. 

This  gave  an  unexpected  turn  to  the 
affair.  Schmitz  had  not  reckoned  on  having 
to  contend  with  lies,  and  his  hopes  sank  to  a 

I02 


Life  in  a  Gai^rison  Town 


low  ebb  when  he  met  the  Major's  eyes  fixed 
on  him  with  an  expression  of  haughty  dis- 
approval. 

Then  followed  the  speech  for  the  prosecu- 
tion by  the  court-martial  barrister,  which  was 
very  much  to  the  same  effect  as  the  charge- 
sheet.  Afterwards  counsel  for  the  defence 
rose,  and  described  the  occurrence  once 
more  in  Huent  language.  He  weighed 
every  little  circumstance,  referred  to  the 
former  friendly  relations  of  the  two  men, 
which  had  been  corroborated  by  evidence, 
and  concluded  by  pointing  out  that  the 
whole  thing  was  but  a  wind-up  to  a  birthday 
carousal.  In  consideration  of  this  and  the 
previous  unstained  career  of  the  accused,  he 
claimed  for  him  an  acquittal. 

The  court  retired  for  consultation,  and 
it  seemed  a  long  time  before  the  judges 
appeared  again   with  grave  faces. 

Schmitz  thought  he  must  swoon  as  he 
heard  the  sentence. 

Two  months'  imprisonment ! 

He  saw  his  life  blighted.  All  in  vain  had 
been  the  long  years  of  hard  work  in  which 
he  had  made  himself  a  willing  sacrifice  to  the 
service  of  his  fatherland.  With  one  blow 
his  dreams  and  plans  for  the  future  were  laid 


Life  in  a  Gar?iso?i  Town 


in  the  dust.  He  could  never  now  after 
twelve  years*  service  obtain  the  post  in  the 
municipal  office  of  his  native  town.  What 
would  become  of  his  parents,  brothers  and 
sisters  .''     What  of  his  betrothed  ? 

An  inexpressible  fury  of  rage  took  posses- 
sion of  him.  He  could  have  strangled  the 
man  on  the  spot  whose  coarse  temper  and 
perjury  had  so  ruined  his  prospects,  who  at 
this  minute  passed  him  with  a  sneer  on  his 
face.  Yes,  he  even  heard  the  Colonel  say  to 
the  dishonourable  cur : 

"  That's  satisfactory.  Roth.  Vigilance  on 
duty  is  what  I  desire  in  my  non-commissioned 
officers." 

Well,  he  would  have  vengeance.  He 
swore  that  he  would.  Schmitz  was  removed 
by  a  sergeant  on  the  20th  of  October  to  a 
fortress  where  many  hours  of  introspection 
and  weary  days  were  to  be  his  lot. 

Christmas  was  drawing  near.  The  barrack 
yard  was  covered  with  snow,  and  the  land- 
scape lay  lifeless  and  paralysed  by  the  bitter 
cold  of  the  last  few  days. 

A  great  number  of  the  soldiers  had  been 

granted  leave  of  absence  for  the  festival,  and 

all  of  them  were  straining  every  nerve  to  do 

their  work  well  lest  at  the  last  moment  they 

104 


Life  hi  a  Garrison  Town 

should  be  robbed  of  the  pleasure  that  they 
were  looking  forward  to. 

The  officers  of  the  corps  took  the  train 
nearly  every  evening,  without  permission,  of 
course,  to  the  neighbouring  town  to  make 
Christmas  purchases,  for  only  one  of  them 
was  going  home,  the  others  intending  to 
celebrate  the  festive  occasion  in  the  casino, 
and  to  give  little  presents  there. 

Borgert  and  Leimann  always  returned 
loaded  with  parcels.  They  bought  every- 
thing that  took  their  fancy.  Money  to  pay 
for  the  presents  would  turn  up  later,  and  at 
this  time  of  year  tradesmen  were'  delighted 
to  give  credit  if  they  could  thereby  get  rid 
of  their  wares. 

In  the  business  part  of  the  town  they 
patronised  a  certain  nook  in  a  comfortable 
restaurant,  where  they  dined  after  their 
shopping,  and  the  two  gentlemen  generally 
went  back  to  the  garrison  by  the  last  train 
in  a  very  convivial  humour.  One  night  a 
new  brand  of  "  Riesling"  had  been  particu- 
larly relished,  and  all  reached  home  in  the 
small  hours  somewhat  fuddled. 

The  Adjutant  of  the  regiment  found  a 
telegram  awaiting  him  at  his  house  which 
concerned  military  business,  and  despite  the 
105 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


lateness  of  the  hour  he  was  obliged  to  take 
it  over  to  the  regimental  secretary  to  be 
answered. 

Heavy  snow  had  begun  to  fall,  and  the 
keen  easterly  wind  drove  the  flakes  whirling 
wildly  through  the  cold  night  air,  so  that  it 
was  hard  to  keep  one's  eyes  open  and  to 
find  the  way. 

This  midnight  disturbance  was  not  at  all 
to  the  easy-going  Miiller's  taste.  He  swore 
to  himself  as  he  came  along  the  barrack 
avenue,  for  dissipation  did  not  improve  his 
temper,  and  when  in  his  present  condition  he 
was  cantankerous  and  prone  to  pick  quarrels, 
in  the  course  of  which  he  would  cast  in  one's 
teeth  his  position  as  Adjutant,  and  his  long 
experience  of  the  Service.  His  comrades 
termed  it  swelled  head. 

Only  the  lighted  window  of  the  guard- 
room was  discernible  through  the  cloud  of 
snow-flakes  that  danced  before  its  panes. 
Within  slept  the  sentry  and  two  privates. 
The  officer  on  duty  had  already  been  round, 
so  they  had  made  themselves  comfortable, 
and  against  the  rules  taken  off  sabre  and 
helmet,  loosened  their  coats,  and  fetched  a 
warm  rug  from  the  barrack. 

Private  Rose  was  on  guard.  He  had 
1 06 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


taken  shelter  from  the  weather  in  the  sentry- 
box,  and  stood  with  his  sabre  clutched  in  his 
cold  fingers  crouching  at  the  back  of  the 
little  black  and  white  striped  house.  Why 
should  he  not  ?     It  was  distinctly  permitted. 

His  thoughts  were  far  away  with  his 
parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  whom  in  two 
days'  time  he  was  to  meet  again  after  a  long 
separation.  How  happy  he  was  at  the 
prospect  of  going  home  now,  a  smart  young 
cavalry  soldier.  He  pictured  himself  em- 
bracing his  loved  ones  and  greeting  his  old 
friends  in  the  stables,  "  Hans,"  the  good  old 
horse,  the  sleek  cows  and  the  fat  pigs. 

A  loud  call  suddenly  roused  him  from  his 
pleasant  dream. 

"  Sentinel  !  " 

Rose  blinked  through  the  round  loophole 
of  the  sentry-box,  but  could  see  no  one. 

Only  when  the  loud  summons  rang  out  a 
second  time  on  the  winter  air  did  he  emerge 
from  his  box  and  saw  a  figure  approaching 
through  the  blinding  snow. 

"Why  didn't  you  salute,  you  hound?" 
roared  the  Adjutant. 

"  Pardon,  Herr  Lieutenant,  I  didn't  see 
the  Herr  Lieutenant." 

"  Shut  your  mouth,  you  lying  scum.  You 
107 


Life  hi  a  Ganisoji  Toivn 


were  asleep  in  the  sentry-box ;  I  waited  here 
an  eternity  !  But  I'll  teach  you  your  duty, 
you  clown." 

With  this  he  strode  on  and  left  Rose 
standing  motionless  with  terror.  In  the 
business  room  of  the  regiment  he  wrote  the 
following  report. 

"  I  found  the  sentinel  on  duty  between 
12  and  2  sleeping  in  the  sentry-box.  It  was 
not  till  I  had  called  twice  that  he  came  out. 
Any  declaration  on  the  man's  part  that  he 
did  not  see  me,  I  can  beforehand  denounce 
as  a  falsehood,  for  I  took  special  notice  of 
his  having  been  asleep." 

He  laid  the  report  on  the  commandant's 
writing-table.  Then  he  got  the  secretary 
out  of  bed,  kept  him  standing  ten  minutes 
in  his  night-shirt  in  the  cold  corridor  while 
he  gave  him  instructions,  and  then  went 
back  to  his  house  feeling  he  had  cooled  his 
head  and  earned  repose. 

On  the  afternoon  of  December  22nd, 
Sergeant  Schmitz  came  out  of  prison.  He 
had  lost  his  former  proud,  brisk  bearing,  his 
face  was  white,  his  black  moustache,  that 
had  been  wont  to  curl  upwards  aggressively, 
hung  limp  and  straight  round  the  corners 
108 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


of  his  mouth.  He  looked  shyly  at  every- 
one he  met,  and  if  a  soldier  greeted  him 
he  regarded  it  as  a  special  sign  of  friendliness 
quite  undeserved.  He  fancied  that  he  read 
in  every  eye,  "  See,  here  comes  a  felon,  a 
criminal." 

On  reporting  himself  to  the  chief  of  the 
squadron,  the  latter  held  out  his  hand. 

"  I  am  really  sorry,  my  dear  Schmitz, 
that  I  must  lose  you.  You  were  always  a 
subordinate  to  be  proud  of,  and  no  one  else 
could  equal  you  in  the  performance  of  your 
duty.  But  it  is  the  Colonel's  orders  that  I 
cancel  your  capitulations,  and  immediately 
discharge  you.  The  Sergeant- Major  will 
settle  up  the  details.  You  may  console  your- 
self with  the  reflection  that  you  have  been 
the  victim  of  the  spite  of  a  vulgar-minded 
bully.  I  wish  you  good  luck,  and  if  you 
ever  want  my  help,  I  shall  be  pleased  to  give 
it.     Good-bye." 

It  was  with  difficulty  that  Schmitz  kept 
back  his  tears.  The  Captain  turned  towards 
the  stable.  He  really  felt  it  very  keenly 
that  this  nice,  honest  fellow,  a  prop  and 
ornament  to  the  squadron,  should  for  noth- 
ing at  all  be  plunged  into  misfortune  and  put 
on  the  penal  list. 

109 


Life  in  a  Grar?ison  Torvn 


So  Schmitz  went  next  to  the  sergeant  on 
duty,  who  gave  him  his  papers  and  fifty 
marks  on  his  savings-bank  book.  He  too 
shook  his   hand  warmly. 

"  Have  you  any  claims  on  the  sick  pension 
fund,  Schmitz  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  have  had  rheumatism  since  the  ma- 
noeuvres, when  we  had  to  bivouac  three 
weeks  on  account  of  an  epidemic  amongst 
the  horses." 

"  But  you  didn't  report  that,  and  it  is  now 
more  than  a  year  and  a  half  ago." 

"  No.  I  didn't  report  it  because  I  didn't 
want  to  write  myself  down  sick.  I  had  no 
wish  to  leave  the  Captain  in  the  lurch  with 
the  horses  weak  and  run  down." 

"  Well,  I  will  at  once  make  a  report  of  it 
to  the  regiment.  Meanwhile  you  can  give 
up  your  things." 

Schmitz  mounted  to  his  room,  packed  his 
uniform  together,  and  corded  his  few  posses- 
sions in  a  small  box.  Before  he  took  off  his 
uniform,  however,  he  went  into  the  town  and 
bought  a  civilian's  suit  for  forty-five  marks, 
a  collar  and  a  hat.  Shoes  he  had.  Then  he 
carried  all  his  uniform  and  accoutrements  to 
the  quartermaster,  to  whom  he  sold  his  extra 
coat,  his  own  cap  and  a  pair  of  trousers 
no 


IJfc  in  a  Qarrisou  Town 


for  thirty  marks.  He  retained  his  sabre  as  a 
keepsake.  Now  came  the  hardest  part  of  it 
all  —  his  leavetaking  from  comrades  and  the 
horses.  Everybody  had  a  kind  word  for 
him,  and  many  a  silent  handshake  expressed 
the  pain  of  parting  thus  from  a  comrade  who 
had  endeared  himself  to  all.  Even  the 
common  soldiers  thronged  round  him  to  bid 
him  farewell.  It  was  true  he  had  often  rated 
many  of  them  soundly,  but  they  all  respected 
him  as  a  decent  fellow  who  had  stood  by 
them  in  trouble. 

When  the  midday  stable  duty  was  over, 
Schmitz  went  in  to  the  horses.  Nothing  in 
all  his  life  had  ever  been  so  hard  as  this  ; 
and  as  the  beloved  beasts  looked  up  from 
their  recently  filled  troughs  at  him,  so  soon 
as  they  heard  his  voice,  he  could  have  cried 
aloud  in  his  grief  and  pain. 

He  had  brought  a  lump  of  sugar  for 
"  Klarchen,"  and  when  he  came  near  her 
she  hunted  at  once  for  the  accustomed  deli- 
cacy, and  with  raised  foot  begged  for  another. 
He  laid  his  head  against  the  animal's  neck, 
which  was  as  smooth  as  satin,  stroked  her 
caressingly  over  the  beautiful  eyes  and  the 
soft  ears,  and  kissed  her  on  the  throat.  As 
he  turned  to  leave  her  he  felt  that  the  melan- 
1 1 1 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toxvn 


choly  look  she  gave  him  and  the  low  neigh 
were  meant  as  a  farewell.  He  said  good-bye 
to  old  "Marie"  and  wondered  how  much 
longer  she  would  be  available  for  service. 
Last  of  all  he  went  to  "  Napoleon,"  the 
"  Child  of  Wrath,"  but  to-day  even  he 
showed  no  sign  of  his  usual  viciousness, 
and  only  looked  at  the  strange  man  in  mufti 
with  enquiring  eyes. 

One  more  farewell  glance  at  the  favourites 
and  Schmitz,  with  strangled  sobs,  went  back 
to  his  room  to  fetch  his  box.  At  the  entrance 
he  met  the  Sergeant. 

"  Your  claims  for  sickness,"  said  he,  "  don't 
hold  good  now,  Schmitz,  the  Colonel  declares. 
You  should  have  put  them  in  at  once.  What's 
more,  he  handed  me  the  bill  sent  in  by  your 
lawyer,  who  has  asked  the  regiment  to  see  it 
is  paid.  The  sum  is  sixty  marks  ;  if  you 
can't  pay  it  you  may  leave  a  pledge." 

Schmitz  had  not  thought  of  this.  After  a 
moment's  reflection  he  said: 

"  In  an  hour,  sergeant,  the  money  shall  be 
handed  in." 

Whereupon  he  went  to  the  town,  entered 
a  watchmaker's  shop  and  laid  his  silver 
watch  and  chain  on  the  counter,  and  asked 
in  a  steady  voice  : 

112 


Life  in  (I  Gdrri.son  Toicn 


"  How  much  will  you  give  me  for  it  ?  I 
need  money." 

The  watchmaker  regarded  the  article  with 
a  scornful  eye,  and  then  said  : 

"  Twenty  marks.  That  is  really  more 
than   it's  worth." 

Schmitz  calculated.  Five  and  thirty  marks 
he  still  had  left.  Twenty  added  thereto 
would  make  five  and  fifty.  Five  marks 
were  still  lacking.  He  drew  resolutely  a 
ring  from  his  finger,  the  only  remembrance 
he  possessed  of  his  dead  father. 

"  What  do  you  value  that  at .''  " 

"  Ten  marks,  not  more." 

"  Very  well,  I  will  let  you  have  it  for  ten 
marks." 

Schmitz  put  the  three  gold  pieces  in  his 
pocket,  went  back  to  the  barracks,  and 
counted  out  sixty  marks  to  the  Serjeant- 
Major,  then  fetched  his  box  and  started  to 
catch  the  evening  train. 

Anyone  who  chanced  to  meet  the  pale- 
faced  man  with  downcast  eyes  would  not 
have  guessed  that  he  was  a  Royal  Prussian 
sergeant,  who,  on  account  of  a  trifling  fault, 
was  cast  out  on  the  world,  without  a  penny, 
with  rheumatism  in  all  his  bones,  and  a  love 
of  the  Fatherland  crushed  and  dead  in  his 
8  113 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


heart.  He  must  now  seek  a  new  vocation 
in  life  after  having  sacrificed  the  best  of  his 
powers,  his  health  and  his  youth,  to  the 
State. 

As  he  ascended  the  hill  from  which  he 
could  view  the  barrack  buildings  wrapped  in 
their  shrowd  of  snow,  he  looked  back  and, 
shaking  his  fist  threateningly,  uttered  a  fierce 
curse. 

Then  he  went  to  the  station  and  got  into 
a  fourth-class  carriage  of  the  same  train 
which  was  bearing  many  soldiers,  laughing 
and  joking  merrily,  to  their  homes  to  cele- 
brate the  Christmas  festivities  in  the  bosom 
of  their  families. 

It  was  the  evening  of  December  24th. 
The  whole  world,  thousands  and  millions, 
were  happy  to-day,  conscious  of  the  magic 
which  the  most  beautiful  of  all  Christian 
feasts  exercises  on  even  the  hardest  nature, 
while  it  awakes  in  all  of  us  sacred  recollec- 
tions. It  is  the  High  Feast  of  God's  love 
to  men,  of  the  love  of  Christians  for  their 
neighbours.  No  one  can  listen  to  the 
solemn  music  of  Christmas  bells  without  a 
sense  of  tender  emotion  and  quiet  reverence  ; 
the  powerful  monarch  in  his  palace,  the  poor 
man  in  his  cottage,  even  the  criminal  behind 
114 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


the  bars  of  his  prison  cell,  all  alike  open 
their  hearts  to  the  beams  of  love  which  irra- 
diate this  holy  eve. 

Friedrich  Rose  sat  in  the  chilly  cell  where, 
since  his  arrest  for  breach  of  his  duty  as 
sentinel,  he  was  suffering  a  punishment  of 
fourteen  days'  imprisonment. 

Through  the  slit  which  let  in  the  light, 
and  was  covered  with  fantastic  frost  patterns, 
he  could  look  up  at  a  window  on  the  first 
floor  of  the  third  squadron's  quarters,  which 
was  brilliantly  illuminated  by  a  Christmas 
tree.  The  solemn  notes  of  the  beautiful 
and  immortal  Christmas  hymn,  whose  music 
is  touching  in  its  very  monotony,  echoed 
sadly  on  his  ears.  He  sat  on  the  edge  of 
his  hard  plank  bed  shivering  with  cold,  and 
a  tear  rolled  down  his  cheek  on  to  the  stone 
floor.  Again  his  thoughts  were  wandering 
to  his  home,  but  not  now  full  of  joyous 
anticipation  ;  instead  depression,  sorrow  and 
wistful  longing  were  depicted  on  the  young 
man's  features.  With  what  pleasure  and  zeal 
he  had  enlisted  in  the  army  !  His  father, 
once  a  sergeant  in  the  Cuirassier  Guards, 
had  always  painted  the  glories  of  military 
life  in  the  most  glowing  colours,  and  had  no 

IIS 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


higher  ambition  for  his  boy  than  to  see  him 
in  his  turn  a  smart  non-commissioned  officer. 
But  now  that  could  never  be.  He  was  under 
strict  arrest,  branded  with  shame  for  the 
whole  term  of  his  military  service. 

Suddenly  his  joy  and  pride  in  the  soldier's 
calling  had  been  turned  into  passionate 
hatred  of  the  "red-coat"  and  of  all  that 
being  a  soldier  implied ;  with  one  blow  the 
industrious  enthusiastic  recruit  had  been 
converted  into  one  of  the  many  who  are 
only  soldiers  because  they  are  obliged,  and 
who  look  forward  to  their  discharge  as  a  day 
of  freedom. 

And  why  had  this  happened?  It  was  not 
because  he  had  consciously  neglected  his 
duty,  but  because  one  of  those  officers  who 
are  supposed  to  be  gentlemen  had  found  it 
convenient  to  make  him  the  scapegoat  of 
his  drunken  ill-humour.  And  what  this 
gentleman  had  stated  in  his  report  stood 
there  as  an  unalterable  fact,  and  whosoever 
doubted  it  would  be  but  guilty  of  another 
breach  of  respect. 

Rose   had,   in    reply    to    questions    of  his 

Captain,    described    the    whole    occurrence, 

and  solemnly  maintained  his  innocence,  but 

the  Adjutant  had  persisted  that  the  man  was 

ii6 


Life  in  (I  Garrison  Tovcn 


only  substantiating  his  falsehood.  What  he 
had  reported  was  a  fact.  Rather  should  he 
have  confessed,  "  I  have  done  you  an  in- 
justice, for  I  made  a  mistake,  being  at  the 
time  drunk  and  out  of  temper."  But  it  was 
not  likely  that  he  would  own  himself  in  the 
wrong  —  he,  the  high  and  mighty  and  unim- 
peachable Adjutant  of  the  regiment.  He 
had  never  done  such  a  thing  in  his  life,  and, 
after  all,  what  harm  would  it  do  if  the  fellow 
did  spend  a  few  days  sulking  in  solitude  ? 

What  harm  ?  Only  this,  that  there  would 
be  one  apostle  the  more  to  proclaim  that  as 
a  soldier  he  had  been  a  sorely  oppressed 
human  being,  forced  to  wear  a  heavy  yoke, 
the  victim  of  his  superior  officers'  capricious 
moods,  who  treated  him,  when  it  suited  their 
convenience,  with  an  undeserved  harshness 
and  injustice,  against  which  he  had  no 
weapon  of  defence,  such  as  he  would  have 
found  in  other  walks  of  life,  where  individ- 
ual action,  self-respect,  and  character  play  a 
part. 

And,  further,  it  did  this  harm.  Rose,  in 
after  years,  when  he  laid  his  credentials  be- 
fore anyone,  would  see  shoulders  shrugged, 
and  read  in  the  gesture  the  thought,  "  You 
seem  to  have  been  a  not  very  trustworthy 
117 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


youth  —  fourteen  days  for  breach  of  sentinel 
duty.     That's  bad  !  " 

At  nine  o'clock  a  noise  at  the  door  roused 
Rose  from  his  reflections.  A  bunch  of  keys 
rattled,  the  lock  clicked,  and  the  officer  on 
duty  walked  in,  followed  by  the  guard. 

Rose  jumped  up,  saluted,  and,  standing 
erect  in  military  attitude,  reported   himself. 

"  Private  Rose.  Fourteen  days  for  breach 
of  sentinel  duty." 

The  officer  looked  round  the  dark  cell  to 
see  if  any  forbidden  article  besides  the  plank 
bed  and  water-jug  had  got  in.  Then  he 
turned  to  go ;  on  which  Rose  said  hesita- 
tingly : 

"  Will  the  Herr  Lieutenant  grant  a 
favour  ?  " 

"Ask  the  guard  if  you  want  anything," 
the  officer  answered  shortly,  and  clanked 
down  the  stone  stairs,  taking  care  that  his 
light  grey  cloak  should  not  brush  the  cob- 
webby walls. 

The  guard,  after  accompanying  him  to  the 
doorway,  came  back  to  Rose. 

"  What  is  it  you  want  ?  "  he  asked  kindly. 

"  I   should  like  to   know  if  a   letter   has 
come  for  me,  and   if  I    shall   be  allowed   to 
have  it,  Herr,"   Rose  answered   timidly. 
ii8 


Life  in  a  Garnsoii  Town 


"  Humph,  my  lad,"  the  non-commissioned 
officer  laughed  good-naturedly.  "  That'll 
hardly  do.  First  pain,  then  pleasure ! " 
But  he  liked  Rose,  who  had  been  in  his 
squadron,  and  when  he  saw  the  poor  boy's 
woe-struck  face  he  felt  sorry  for  him.  It 
was  a  hard  case  indeed  to  have  to  spend  the 
festive  season  locked  up  here,  and  all  because 
of  a  trivial  charge  of  which  he  was  innocent. 
So  he  said  to  Rose  in  a  friendly  tone, "  Well, 
now,  perhaps  I'll  make  inquiries." 

He  unlocked  the  cell  again  and  sent  a 
man  to  Rose's  squad  corporal  with  the  re- 
quest that  he  would  come  up  to  him,  and 
when  he  came  the  guard  asked  : 

"Is  there  any  letter  for  Rose  ?  " 

"  A  letter  ?  No,  but  a  parcel  has  been 
handed  over  to  me  for  him." 

"  Look  here,"  whispered  the  guard  ;  "just 
undo  it,  will  you,  and  let  the  fellow  have 
something  out  of  it.  I  am  sorry  for  the 
poor  wretch." 

The  Corporal  nodded  and  disappeared. 
In  a  minute  he  came  back  with  a  letter,  a 
sausage,  and  a  piece  of  cake,  and  the  sentinel 
took  them  all  and  went  up  to  Rose.  At  the 
same  time  he  motioned  a  man  to  follow  him 
with  a  scuttle  of  coals.  Very  soon  the  cell 
119 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

was  illuminated  by  the  rekindled  fire,  and  in 
the  light  of  the  flickering  flames  Rose  read 
his  parents'  letter.  Tears  rolled  down  his 
cheeks  all  the  time.  Then  he  hid  the  sau- 
sage and  cake  in  his  coverlet  as  if  they  had 
been  precious  jewels  and  lay  down  on  the 
hard  plank  bed.  Not  long  afterwards  his 
red  tearful  eyes  closed  in  sleep,  and  Rose 
in  his  dreams  was  joining  hands  under  the 
Christmas  tree  at  home  with  father  and 
mother,  sisters  and  brothers. 

December  28th  was  a  day  of  mourning  for 
the  fourth  squadron.  The  soldiers  who  had 
only  come  back  from  their  leave  the  evening 
before  accompanied  a  comrade  on  his  last 
journey  ;  Lance  Corporal  Dietrich  was  car- 
ried to  the  grave.  He  had  always  been  a 
delicate  man,  and  that  day,  when  overheated 
and  drenched  to  the  skin,  he  was  not  able  to 
light  a  fire  in  his  cold  room  because  Roth 
would  not  give  him  out  the  coals,  had  been 
the  last  nail  in  his  coffin.  The  same  evening 
he  was  tossing  in  a  high  fever.  After  two 
days  the  doctor  pronounced  him  to  be  sufi^er- 
ing  from  inflammatory  rheumatism  of  the 
joints  and  said  his  heart  was  afl^ected.  On 
Christmas  Day  the  unfortunate  man  died  of 
heart  failure. 

120 


Life  in  a  Crarrisofi  Town 


His  grief-stricken  parents  had  telegraphed 
entreating  that  the  corpse  of  their  only  son 
should  be  brought  home  to  be  buried,  but  as 
no  money  came  to  cover  the  expenses  of  a 
zinc  coffin  and  of  the  transit,  the  burial  took 
place  in  the  garrison  churchyard.  The  next 
day,  the  reserve  corporal  who  had  been 
kicked  by  "  Napoleon,"  was  discharged  from 
hospital.  His  injuries  appeared  to  be  cured, 
but  his  whole  face  was  shockingly  disfigured, 
and  his  left  eye  had  been  removed  for  fear 
its  injuries  should  affect  the  sight  of  the 
other.  So  the  wretched  man  returned  to 
his  home,  a  physical  wreck,  to  subsist  on  a 
pension  of  nine  marks  per  month. 

The  former  Sergeant  Schmitz  was  sitting 
in  his  dreary  lodging  on  New  Year's  Eve. 

He  had  to  face  dire  poverty  and  was 
barely  earning  his  daily  bread  as  a  hand  in 
a  large  factory  in  the  neighbourhood.  He 
inhabited  one  cheap  room  on  the  second 
floor  of  a  workman's  tenement,  and  was  at- 
tended to  for  a  trifle  by  a  family  that  lived 
in  the  building.  He  sat  now  with  his  elbows 
on  the  table  and  his  face  buried  in  his  hands. 
Before  him  was  a  plate  containing  the  re- 
mains   of   his    scanty    supper,   and    a    lamp 

121 


Life  in  a  Qar?ison  Town 


with  a  broken  shade  threw  a  dull  red  glow 
on  the  bowed  figure  at  the  table  and  the 
miserable  furniture  of  the  small  room.  An 
iron  bed  with  a  red  and  white  striped  coun- 
terpane stood  against  the  wall,  and  above  it 
was  fastened  the  scabbard  and  blade  of  his 
sabre  in  the  form  of  a  cross. 

A  jug  and  basin  stood  on  a  deal  chair,  and 
near  it  lay  a  greyish  towel.  The  fire  in 
the  little  stove  had  burnt  down  long  ago, 
and  only  a  few  smouldering  sparks  lingered 
there. 

It  looked  as  if  the  man  who  sat  at  the 
table  without  moving  must  be  asleep,  but 
Schmitz  was  wideawake  and  wild  thoughts 
were  chasing  each  other  through  his  brain. 
He  was  thinking  of  the  past,  and  the  more 
crudely  his  present  condition  stood  out  in 
contrast,  the  more  fierce  was  his  hatred  for 
the  low  rascal  who  had  brought  him  to  this 
pass ;  he  meditated  on  revenge  and  how  he 
could  punish  and  disgrace  his  enemy  for  his 
unscrupulous  dastardly  conduct. 

For  some  time  he  continued  to  sit  there 
brooding,  then  with  a  lowering  countenance 
he  rose  and  went  to  the  window.  He 
brushed  away  the  frost-patterns,  and  looked 
over  to  the  illuminated  clock  in   the  church 

122 


Life  in  a  Crcii'iisoti  Toicti 


tower  from  which  already  the  deep  melodious 
sound  of  the  bells  was  announcing  through 
the  cold  night  the  approach  of  the  New  Year. 

Eleven  o'clock !  Schmitz  put  on  his  hat, 
seized  his  walking-stick,  put  out  the  lamp 
and  went  down   the  unlighted  staircase. 

For  a  moment  he  paused  on  the  ice- 
covered  steps  before  the  front  door,  and 
listened  to  the  solemn  ringing  of  the  bells. 
There  was  no  other  sound  to  be  heard,  not 
the  echo  of  a  single  footstep,  only  far  away  a 
sort  of  hum  filled  the  night  —  the  hum  of 
a  great  city  on  the  eve  of  the  New  Year. 

Schmitz  shivered  and  turned  up  his  coat 
collar,  thrust  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  and 
with  the  stick  under  his  arm  hurried  to  the 
station,  where  he  took  a  twopenny  ticket  to 
his  old  garrison,  and  got  into  the  train,  which 
was  just  starting. 

The  tiny  town  lay  as  if  dead  and  deserted 
in  its  thick  shroud  of  snow.  The  brightly- 
lighted  barrack-windows  shone  out  in  the 
night  like  stars,  and  snatches  of  song  or  the 
notes  of  a  concertina  were  softly  borne  through 
the  air  on  the  wings  of  the  wind.  From  the 
distance  came  the  murmur  of  innumerable 
church  bells  welcoming  in  the  new  year  in 
the  surrounding  villages  and  hamlets.  The 
123 


Life  ill  a  Garrison  Toiv/i 


chatter,  and  loud  laughter  and  songs  of  fes- 
tive topers  who  were  drinking  the  old  year 
out,  fell  on  the  ear  as  he  passed  the  brilliantly 
lit  restaurants  and  beer-cellars.  Schmitz  bent 
his  steps  to  that  end  of  the  town  where  the 
barracks  stood,  and  stopped  before  a  public- 
house.  He  looked  round  him  nervously  to 
see  that  no  one  was  watching  him,  and  then 
climbed  on  the  wall  and  peeped  through  the 
nearest  window. 

As  he  expected,  there  was  Roth  sitting  in 
a  circle  of  other  non-commissioned  officers 
and  corporals,  for  this  was  a  haunt  he  was 
wont  to  visit  every  evening  to  drink  far  into 
the  night  and  gamble  a  little. 

Cautiously  Schmitz  climbed  down  and 
strode  towards  the  barracks.  He  turned 
into  a  lane  flanked  with  high  snow-covered 
hedges  and  stationed  himself  in  the  first 
bend.     This  was   Roth's  way   home. 

Schmitz  had  a  long  time  to  wait  at  his 
post,  but  he  didn't  mind. 

The  bitter  cold  of  the  day  had  yielded  at 
midnight  to  a  mild  winter  breeze  which 
drove  the  fine  snowflakes  gently  before  it  and 
rustled  in  the  dry  branches  of  the  beech- 
hedge.  Below,  where  the  narrow  footway 
joined  the  road,  figures  were  to  be  seen  here 
124 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivti 


and  there  rising  like  shadows  against  the  grey 
landscape,  and  staggering  noiselessly  away 
through  the  snow — topers  who,  after  a  night's 
debauch,  were  going  home  to  seek  their  bed. 

Schmitz  did  not  feel  in  the  least  cold,  for 
every  stroke  from  the  clock  in  the  distant 
steeple  sent  the  blood  coursing  quicker 
through  his  veins  ;  the  moment  he  was 
anticipating  with  delight  drew  nearer  and 
nearer.  At  last  it  struck  two,  and  a  dark 
figure  was  seen  approaching. 

The  watcher  drew  himself  further  under 
the  hedge,  grasped  his  stick  tighter,  and  his 
heart  beat  as  if  it  would  burst. 

Roth  was  within  a  few  yards,  his  face 
almost  hidden  in  the  high  turned-up  collar 
of  his  cloak. 

Schmitz  recognised  the  Sergeant- Major 
immediately  as  he  advanced  with  reeling  gait, 
whistling  a  comic  song  and  dragging  his 
sabre  behind   him. 

When  the  Sergeant  had  come  within  a  step 
of  the  spot  where  Schmitz  awaited  him,  the 
latter  planted  himself  in  his  enemy's  path, 
holding  his  stick  over  his  shoulder. 

Roth  started  at  first  like  a  wild  beast  at 
bay,  then  he  looked  keenly  at  his  antagonist. 
He  did  not  recognise  him. 
1^5 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


"  What  do  you  want  ?  "  he  asked  with  a 
dry  throat. 

"  To  pay  off  old  scores,"  was  the  short 
rejoinder,  which  made  the  Sergeant-Major's 
blood  curdle. 

For  a  moment  the  two  men  stood  facing 
each  other,  and  Roth  recognised  his  quondam 
friend. 

"  Ah  !  it's  you,  old  chap  !  What  are  you 
about  here  ?  "  he  stuttered  out  in  a  hoarse 
voice. 

"  This  is  what  I  am  about !  "  cried  Schmitz, 
and  his  stick  swung  whistling  through  the 
air.  The  first  blow  caught  his  enemy  full  in 
the  face. 

The  terrified  man  staggered  a  moment, 
and  before  he  could  seize  his  sabre  hilt  one 
powerful  stroke  after  the  other  fell  crashing 
on  his  face,  head,  shoulders  and  hands. 

Then  he  hurled  himself  like  an  infuriated 
bull  on  his  assailant.  Schmitz,  however, 
withstood  the  attack,  and  at  last  felled  the 
sergeant  on  his  back  to  the  earth  with  a 
resounding  blow  on  the  face. 

"  There,     you     dishonest     hound,      you 

cowardly  dirty   carrion,  take   that    for   your 

scoundrelly    meanness    and    that    for    your 

lies ! "     So    saying    he   gave    the    prostrate 

126 


Life  in  (I  ChirriHon  Toxai 


form  on  the  ground  a  farewell  kick  and  went 
his  way. 

He  called  back  jeeringly  over  his  shoulder 
to  his  victim  : 

"  Now  you  may  go  and  report  me  again, 
you  swine,  and  I  shall  have  another  tale  to 
tell  this  time." 

After  the  encounter  the  old  forage-master 
felt  comforted.  Now  he  could  bear  his  fate 
with  more  fortitude,  for  he  had  the  satis- 
faction of  knowing  his  adversary  punished. 
Revenge  is  certainly  sweet. 

Sergeant-Major  Roth  was  forced  to  spend 
several  weeks  in  hospital  till  the  wounds  on 
his  face  and  his  hands  were  healed.  The 
account  he  gave  of  the  accident  was  that  he 
had  been  assaulted  by  a  drunken  workman, 
whom  he  pretended  he  had  struck  down  with 
his  sabre.  But  no  one  quite  believed  this 
story,  for  no  wounded  workman  had  been 
seen,  and  neither  did  inquiries  of  the  doctors 
in  the  neighbourhood  elicit  any  information. 
Nearly  everybody  knew  in  his  secret  heart 
where  the  rod  had  been  pickled  that  had 
chastised  the  abhorred  Sergeant-Major. 

Schmitz  commemorated  his  act  of  ven- 
geance on  the  eve  of  the  New  Year  with  a 
glass  of  beer. 

127 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


As  he  discovered  In  the  light  of  the  lamp 
that  there  was  blood  on  his  hand,  he  wiped 
it  off  with  disgust  as  if  it  had  been  the  blood 
of  some  unclean  beast,  and  threw  his  pocket- 
handkerchief  into  the  fire.  Then  he  called 
out  gaily  : 

"  Another  glass,  landlord  !  " 


128 


Chapter  IV 

TOWARDS  the  end  of  January 
bustle  and  excitement  reigned  in 
the  officers'   casino. 

A  whole  gang  of  carpenters,  painters,  and 
gardeners  were  employed  in  converting  the 
rooms  and  corridors,  as  well  as  the  veran- 
dahs and  winter  garden,  into  a  scene  of 
festivity,  with  booths  and  tents,  so  that 
King  Carnival  should  have  a  worthy  entry 
in  the  early  days  of  February, 

Under  the  shade  of  the  trees  gaily  painted 
kiosks,  decorated  with  posters  of  every  de- 
scription, were  opened,  and  the  most  tempt- 
ing dainties,  with  all  sorts  of  drinks,  from 
simple  seltzer  to  real  French  liqueurs,  were 
to  be  offered  for  sale.  In  one  tent  soldiers 
were  dressed  up  to  look  like  a  menagerie  of 
wild  beasts,  in  another  a  stage  was  erected  in 
which  a  series  of  performances  were  to  keep 
the  risible  faculties  of  visitors  to  the  fete  in 
constant  exercise. 

9  129 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


A  number  of  seats  on  the  two  lawns  were 
placed  there  to  attract  people  to  listen  to 
music  and  to  enjoy  genuine  Pilsener  beer. 
In  the  anteroom  a  temporary  registrars's 
office  was  opened  where,  over  a  glass  of 
champagne,  one  could  get  married  for  two- 
pence, and  divorced  again  an  hour  later. 

The  large  dining  hall  was  the  centre  of 
the  festivities.  A  platform  decorated  with 
evergreens  provided  a  place  for  an  orchestra, 
and  the  regiment's  trumpeters  had  been 
scouring  the  country-side  every  day  in  search 
of  a  really  ragged  strolling-musician's  get-up 
for  the  band. 

A  photographer's  booth  was  much  to  the 
fore,  on  the  outside  of  which  a  display  of 
groups  and  cabinets  were  enticingly  ex- 
hibited. Naturally  the  coming  fete  was  the 
chief  topic  of  conversation  at  the  officers' 
mess.  Each  was  anxious  to  appear  in  as 
original  a  costume  as  possible,  and  there  was 
endless  discussion  before  the  dresses  were 
decided  on. 

At  length  the  festal  day  arrived.  In  the 
afternoon  the  services  of  a  little  troop  of 
hair-dressers  came  into  requisition,  and  the 
tailor  of  the  regiment,  needle  and  cotton  in 
hand,  went  from  one  gentleman  to  another, 
130 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

altering  what  did  not  fit,  and  lending  a 
helping  hand  where  necessary. 

At  seven  o'clock  the  orderlies,  attired  like 
waiters  in  black  tail-coats,  were  ready  to 
receive  the  merry-makers,  and  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  most  of  the  officers  of  the 
corps,  with  their  wives  and  guests,  had  put 
in  an  appearance. 

As  they  moved  about  in  their  bright- 
coloured  and  more  or  less  tastefully  designed 
costumes  to  the  strains  of  dance-music,  the 
effect  was  brilliant  in  the  extreme.  Cham- 
pagne soon  began  to  flow  bountifully.  One 
saw  here  a  rough  country  bumpkin,  with  a 
knotched  walking-stick  between  his  legs, 
devouring  a  portion  of  caviare  at  a  garden 
table,  while  near  him  a  circus  clown  dis- 
patched a  lobster. 

The  most  killing  sight,  however,  was  the 
Colonel  in  his  costume  of  a  Polish  peasant, 
with  a  fur  cap  on  his  head.  If  he  had 
appeared  at  a  pig  market  in  Pomerania 
dressed  thus,  every  purchaser  would  have 
taken  him  for  a  notorious  cattle-breeder, 
with  whom  it  might  be  well  to  transact 
business.  He  seemed  to  have  little  diffi- 
culty in  playing  the  role  perfectly,  for  all 
his  natural  gestures  and  attitudes  were  admi- 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


rably  adapted  to  sustain  the  illusion.  As 
the  champagne  was  going  free  of  charge, 
the  Colonel,  in  a  very  short  time,  was  half 
seas  over. 

His  illustrious  adjutant  certainly  had  not 
been  happy  in  his  choice  of  the  costume  of  a 
Polish  Jew,  for  it  only  supplied  what  had 
been  lacking  before  to  complete  his  Israelitish 
cast  of  countenance. 

Frau  Konig  was  charming  as  a  chamber- 
maid, and  her  blue  eyes  beamed  with  delight. 
Indeed  the  fair-haired,  trim  young  damsel 
could  easily  have  obtained  a  good  situation 
with  high  wages  had  she  played  her  part  in 
earnest.  So  thought  a  young  huntsman, 
whose  features  bore  a  striking  resemblance 
to  those  of  Lieutenant  Bleibtreu,  and  he 
resolved  on  the  spot  to  "keep  company" 
with  the  neat-handed  Phyllis,  and  afterwards 
to  visit  the  registrar's  office  in  her  society. 
Only  the  end  of  the  fete  cut  short  the  young 
couple's  blissful  honeymoon,  and  Bleibtreu 
was  rudely  awakened  to  reality  by  the  hus- 
band's command  that  the  mock  union  should 
be  forthwith  dissolved. 

Frau  Leimann,  as  a  Swiss  peasant  maiden, 
was  also  fascinating.  The  dress  suited  her 
remarkably  well,  and  Borgert  contemplated 
132 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toncn 


with  gloating  satisfaction  his  housemate's 
pretty  figure  and  Httie  feet. 

Frau  Kahle,  in  the  guise  of  a  flower  girl, 
coquetted  with  the  young  men,  having  at- 
tracted all  eyes  to  the  decoUetage  of  her 
bodice  by  fastening  on  it  a  magnificent  rose. 
She  phiyed  her  part  to  admiration,  for  the 
exhilarating  eflfects  of  the  champagne  made  it 
come  naturally  to  her.  Lieutenant  Kolberg, 
who  was  got  up  as  a  "  dude,"  bought  her 
whole  stock  of  flowers,  and  then  bantered 
her  on  being  one  of  the  unemployed. 

Frau  Rittmeister  Stark  alone  seemed  out 
of  her  element  in  the  assembly.  She  had 
been  greatly  exercised  as  to  what  to  wear,  for 
to  appear  as  a  flower-girl  or  ballet-dancer 
seemed  a  little  too  audacious,  whereas  the 
role  of  butter  or  apple-woman  might,  she 
feared,  be  too  suitable.  Thus  she  floated 
amongst  the  throng  in  a  spangled  fancy  dress, 
which,  in  response  to  inquiries,  she  archly 
described  as  that  of  "a  mermaid  of  middle 
age."  Out  of  clouds  of  pink  and  pale- 
green  gauze  billowed  her  ample  bosom,  while 
her  bare  arms  suggested  the  stock-in-trade 
of  a  strong  woman  or  giant  lady  in  a 
show. 

Three  of  the  junior  officers  were  capitally 

^33 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


got  up  as  a  trio  of  vagabonds,  and  in  their 
dirt  and  rags  looked  as  if  they  had  really 
sneaked  in  from  the  high  road  to  attend  for 
once  in  their  lives  a  function  of  the  "  upper 
ten."  The  exceptional  opportunities  which 
this  disguise  offered  of  getting  inebriated  were 
not  neglected.  Lieutenant  von  Meckelburg 
stood  motionless  in  a  corner  dressed  as  an 
organ-grinder  and  unable  to  make  up  his 
mind  to  mix  with  the  lively  crowd.  The 
expression  of  his  face  was  hardly  jovial,  and 
it  was  not  till  later,  when  he  had  hidden  his 
musical  paraphernalia  behind  a  marquee,  that 
his  spirits  gradually  rose,  for  which  change  in 
his  aspect  an  emptied  bottle  of  champagne 
was  responsible. 

The  band  played  most  charming  dance 
music,  and  devoted  itself  in  the  intervals  to 
a  beer  cask,  the  tap  of  which  was  to  be  seen 
protruding  from  the  green  firs  which  sur- 
rounded the  kiosk. 

At  1 1  o'clock  a  performance  began  on  the 
little  stage  erected  for  the  purpose.  A  lieu- 
tenant recited  as  prologue  some  spicy  coup- 
lets, and  then  proceeded  in  cafe  chantant 
style  to  caper  about  in  an  extremely  low- 
necked  baby's  frock.  The  programme 
closed  with    a    burlesque    on    Shakespeare's 

134 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Tozvn 


"Hamlet,"  in  the  course  of  which  all  the 
characters  came  to  a  gruesome  end  by  means 
of  poison,  violence,  lightning  or  thirst.  At 
the  close  the  prompter  himself  came  on  the 
boards  and  was  so  overcome  by  the  scene 
of  carnage  going  on  before  his  eyes  that  he 
ended  his  uneventful  career  by  a  suicidal 
plunge  down  a  trap-door. 

In  this  manner  the  fun  waxed  more  fast 
and  furious,  so  that  at  last  there  was  little  to 
distinguish,  except  the  ever-flowing  wine,  be- 
tween the  carnival  of  the  officer's  corps  and 
the  boisterous  horse-play  of  a  village  fair. 

Meanwhile  Lieutenant  Kolberg  had  re- 
tired with  Frau  Kahle  to  an  arbour,  where 
he  wheeled  a  garden  screen  before  the  door 
in  order  to  spend  a  confidential  half-hour 
undisturbed  and  unseen. 

A  little  flirtation  was  to  him  a  necessity  of 
existence,  and  he  hoped  to  console  himself 
in  his  present  companionship  for  the  lack 
of  sport  among  the  steady  daughters  and 
virtuous  wives  of  the  citizens  of  the  garrison 
town.  He  had  learnt  from  Pommer  what 
sort  of  character  Frau  Grete  was,  and  had 
intended  to  feel  his  way  diplomatically.  But 
the  conquest  took  a  shorter  time  than  even 
he  had  calculated.      In  a  quarter  of  an  hour 

^35 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


the  little  woman,  intoxicated  with  rapture  and 
pleasure,  lay  in  his  arms,  and  the  fiery  young 
gallant  met  with  no  resistance  in  examining 
minutely  the  rose  on  the  bosom  of  his  new 
mistress.  What  a  different  sort  of  fellow, 
thought  she,  was  this  from  his  halting,  awk- 
ward predecessor?  Here  was  someone  full 
of  fire  and  courage,  and  she  began  at  once  to 
picture  in  the  rosiest  hues  the  delights  of  an 
amour  with  this  newly-vanquished  Romeo. 

In  another  arbour  Lieutenant  Leimann  sat 
quite  alone  shedding  floods  of  tears.  He 
had  as  usual  reached  the  maudlin  stage 
punctually  after  the  sixth  glass. 

He  refused  to  be  comforted,  and  the  order- 
lies nearly  died  of  laughter  at  sight  of  the 
howling  Hungarian  magnate  seated  on  a 
barrel,  looking  the  picture  of  misery,  sobbing 
his  heart  out. 

His  wife  found  the  situation  extremely 
boring,  and  decided  to  have  a  sick  headache 
on  the  spot.  So  with  a  tired  and  jaded  air 
she  retired  to  another  nook,  and  begged 
Borgert,  who  had  joined  her  there,  to  take 
her  home. 

Not  at  all  displeased  at  the  request,  he 
offered  the  fair  Swiss  peasant  his  arm,  led 
her  to  the  cloak-room,  threw  her  fur  cloak 
136 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


over  her  shoulders,  and  escorted  her  to  her 
house,  which  was  also  his. 

When  they  reached  the  door,  she  said,  in 
a  soft  voice,  sighing  deeply  — 

"  The  air  has  done  me  good.  I  am  quite 
well  again." 

"  Then  do  you  wish  me  to  accompany  you 
back  to  the  casino  ?  "  was  Borgert's  answer. 
His  tone  betrayed  distinct  disappointment. 

"  Oh,  no  !  let  us  go  in  and  have  a  cup  of 
coffee.  It  will  do  us  good.  I  have  no 
desire  to  be  amongst  those  drunken  people 
any  more.     To  me  it  is  a  repulsive  sight." 

"Just  as  you  like,  Gnadigste."  Where- 
upon he  put  his  key  in  the  lock,  opened  the 
door,  and  the  two  went  silently  up  the  dark 
staircase  together. 

When  they  entered  the  room  Borgert 
fetched  the  lamp  and  lighted  it.  He  knew 
exactly  where  to  find  it.  Then  he  took  up 
a  newspaper  and  threw  himself  lazily  into 
the  corner  of  the  sofa. 

Frau  Leimann  had  gone  into  the  next 
room,  and  in  a  few  minutes  reappeared  with 
the  coffee-machine.  She  had  taken  off  her 
fancy  dress  and  exchanged  it  for  a  morning 
negligee^  which  clung  in  soft  folds  to  her 
beautiful  figure. 

137 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"There!"  said  she,  drawing  the  curtains, 
"  At  last  we  are  within  our  own  four  walls 
again,  and  can  have  a  comfortable  little  chat." 

She  sank  as  she  spoke  on  to  the  sofa,  and 
Borgert  drank  in  with  his  eyes  the  outline 
of  her  fair  youthful  form  beneath  the  soft 
draperies. 

"  At  last  we  are  alone,  one  might  say," 
Borgert  said  jestingly.  "  Let  us  hope  your 
husband  doesn't  come  home  soon  and  spoil 
our  idyllic  coffee  drinking." 

"  My  husband,"  replied  Frau  Leimann, 
with  contemptuously  curled  lips.  "  He  can 
stay  where  he  is.  If  I  know  him,  he  won't 
be  home  till  the  morning.  Oh,  I  am  terribly 
sick  of  the  man.  I  may  speak  openly  to 
you  r 

"Yes,  gnadige  Frau.  Such  are  the  joys 
and  sorrows  of  matrimony.  First  prove 
him  to  whom  you  are  going  to  bind  yourself 
for  ever,  says  Schiller,  or  else  there  will  be 
trouble." 

"  You  speak  truly.  How  can  anyone 
during  the  few  weeks  of  an  engagement 
know  what  the  future  is  going  to  be,  as  one 
does  directly  one  is  married  ?  Had  I  fore- 
seen how  things  would  be  we  should  never 
have  committed  the  folly  of  getting  married. 
138 


Life  in  a  Ganison  7\nL\ 


He  has  found  out  now  I  am  too  poor,  and 
every  day  he  is  becoming  more  intolerable 
to   me." 

"  For  that  reason  I  shall  never  marry. 
The  game  is  too   hazardous." 

"  Yes,  but  what  else  is  one  to  do," 
answered  Frau  Leimann,  almost  irritably. 
"  Who  would  wish  to  be  held  up  to  scorn 
and  ridicule  as  an  '  old  maid.'  " 

"  According  to  our  laws  and  social  statutes, 
gnadige  Frau,  I  admit  one  must  certainly 
either  marry  or  remain  single.  But  it  is 
a  flaw  in  our  system  of  ordering  the  world. 
How  few  there  are  who,  after  long  years 
of  married  life,  if  confronted  with  the 
question.  Would  they  marry  each  other  if 
they  had  it  to  do  again,  would  answer 
honestly  '  Yes.'  The  majority  would  will- 
ingly separate  on  the  spot.  I  therefore 
should  propose  that  a  condition  ought  to 
exist  whereby,  say,  after  ten  years  of  mar- 
riage, separation  should  be  possible,  and 
both  parties  permitted  to  enter  into  another 
contract  with  someone  else." 

"  You  are  right.  Many  would  be  glad  to 
part  from  each  other  after  the  first  week, 
yet  they  are  bound  to  go  on  vegetating  to- 
gether in  so-called  wedlock." 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"  To  part  In  the  first  week  would  be  act- 
ing rather  precipitately,  my  dear  lady,  for 
there  are  husbands  and  wives  who  take  some 
years  to  learn  to  know  and  appreciate  each 
other,  and  then  it  may  happen  that  they 
become  deeply  attached  after  having  lived  a 
cat  and  dog  life  together." 

"Of  course.  But  if  there  is  no  love  after 
ten  years  there  never  will  be  any." 

"  There  I  agree  with  you,"  Borgert  said, 
with  a  laugh.  "  You  see  marriage  is  not  an 
up-to-date  institution.  It  may  be  all  very 
well  for  two  human  beings  who  have  mate- 
rial advantages  to  gain  by  their  union  to 
marry.  But,  for  two  who  marry  because 
they  imagine  they  love  each  other,  when 
love  is  dead,  marriage  is  a  martyrdom,  and 
therefore  there  ought  to  be  some  other 
arrangement  for  those  who  wish  to  come 
together,  but  not  to  be  fettered  for  life." 

"You  mean  that  rriarriage  in  these  cases 
should  be  replaced  by  '  Free   Love.'  " 

"  Exactly,  gnadige  Frau,  either  that  or,  if 
for  any  other  reasons  it  should  not  be  fea- 
sible, why  not  have  an  arrangement  such  as 
thev  have  In  Oriental  countries  ?  When  a 
husband  gets  tired  of  a  wife  there.  If  I  may 
express  myself  so  drastically,  he  passes  on  to 
140 


Life  hi  a  Garrison  T'owii 


the  next,  for  he  is  allowed  a  whole  houseful, 
and  he  is  never  likely  to  get  so  sick  of  one 
when  so  much  variety  is  granted  him  in 
love.  It  is  impossible  to  force  men  into 
loving  the  same  person  always." 

"  If  once  you  do  away  with  ordinary 
marriage  it  seems  to  me  free  love  would  be 
preferable  to  polygamy,  being  less  hampered 
by  hard  and  fast  restrictions." 

"  Quite  so.  If  one  defines  marriage,  what 
does  it  amount  to  but  nonsense  ^  It  is  un- 
natural in  its  demands.  Marriage,  as  we 
understand  it,  is  a  contract  between  a  man 
and  a  woman  who  either  love  each  other  or 
for  whom  outward  circumstances  make  a 
union  advisable.  The  Church  and  the  Law, 
very  often  only  the  latter,  render  this  contract 
binding.  But  first  take  the  case  of  those 
who  love  each  other.  Will  their  love  last 
always  to  the  end  of  their  lives  .''  No.  Only 
in  a  very  few  instances  does  love  exist  to  start 
with,  but  the  marriage  laws  have  been  decreed 
by  God  and  Nature  to  bind  lovers  together. 
If  they  fail  to  accomplish  this  they  are  use- 
less. Secondly,  a  marriage  of  convenience  is 
not  a  marriage  at  all  in  the  true  sense.  A 
contract  entered  into  for  the  sake  of  worldly 
advantages  belongs  to  the  sphere  of  com- 
141 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Toi<:n 


merce,  and  should  be  settled  by  business 
methods,  not  by  the  sacred  tie  of  matrimony. 
Thirdly,  a  marriage,  which  presents  the  pos- 
sibility of  love  cooling,  is  futile  ;  for  at  the 
ceremony  we  are  called  upon  to  make  a 
solemn  vow  before  the  priest,  God's  repre- 
sentative, that  we  will  belong  to  one  another 
for  ever  in  the  bonds  of  love.  So  soon  as 
love  vanishes  this  oath  is  turned  into  per- 
jury. And  how  can  anyone  force  me  to 
swear  what  I  myself  don't  know  I  shall  be 
able  to  perform  ?  It  is  impossible  to  go 
against  nature.  Thus,  the  whole  theory  of 
marriage  is  exploded.  But  what  else  have 
the  Church  and  the  Law  to  do  with  the 
binding  together  of  two  people  who  love 
each  other?  The  Church  gives  its  blessing 
and  thereby  sanctifies  the  union.  What 
could  be  a  more  superfluous  and  hollow 
form  ?  For  the  sacred  element  with  which 
the  Church  ceremony  is  supposed  to  endow 
the  union  is  already  there  when  a  man  and 
woman  know  that  their  passion  is  strong 
enough  to  unite  them.  Further,  the  Law 
must  exist  to  settle  the  normal  standard  of 
opinion  ;  without  the  Law  there  could  be  no 
State,  no  working  together  for  a  common 
end.  But  the  love  that  is  to  unite  a  man 
142 


Life  in  a  Gai'rison  Town 


and  woman  needs  no  laws  except  nature's. 
The  Law  draws  up  statutes  and  precepts 
for  the  general  benefit  of  the  community, 
but  it  has  no  control  over  sentiment ;  it 
cannot  make  that  lawful  or  unlawful.  Cer- 
tainly, then,  for  two  people  who  really  love 
each  other,  and  feel  that  they  belong  to  each 
other,  the  most  natural  and  sensible  bond  is 
that  of  free  love." 

"  But  why  should  they  not  marry  if  they 
are  so  convinced  that  they  belong  to  each 
other  ?  "  interposed  Frau  Leimann. 

"  Because  when  their  love  dies  they  will 
have  made  no  false  vows  at  the  altar,  and 
can  then  quietly  separate." 

"There  is  the  Divorce  Court." 

"  Of  course  there  is.  But  a  divorce  raises 
so  much  dust,  and  often  has  such  unsatis- 
factory results,  that  a  pair  will  rather  continue 
to  live  together  in  perpetual  disagreement, 
year  after  year,  hating  and  despising  each 
other,  before  they  can  make  up  their  minds 
to  appeal  to  the  Divorce  Court.  Apart  from 
the  great  legal  difficulties  it  is  not  easy  to 
arrange  separation  in  outward  circumstances 
and  the  division  of  money,  and  so  on.  On 
the  other  hand,  when  free  love  ceases,  one 
parts  quietly  without  any  fuss,  and  is  saved 

143 


Life  in  a  G-a?^rison  Town 


from  the  miserable  farce  of  a  married  life 
without  love.  A  man  and  woman  whose 
only  bond  is  love  are  not  likely  to  deceive 
each  other,  and  there  would  thus  be  less  sin 
and  unhappiness  in  the  world." 

"  But  wouldn't  it  put  an  end  to  all  social 
intercourse  between  families,  in  a  circle  say 
of  officers  or  barristers  ?  All  the  women 
would  come  from  such  different  classes  that 
they  would  have  nothing  in  common." 

"  I  see  nothing  to  object  to  in  that, 
gnadige  Frau.  Those  who  were  in  sympathy 
could  associate  with  each  other,  while  those 
who  were  not  would  not  be  forced  to  know 
each  other.  This  is  better,  surely,  than 
women  who  are  thoroughly  uncongenial  in 
their  tastes  having  to  appear  as  if  they  were 
great  friends  because  society  demands  it." 

"  I  dislike  the  system  above  all  things. 
Our  ladies'  coffee  parties  are  enough  to  dis- 
gust you  with  it." 

"In  free  love  a  woman's  choice  of  her 
society  is  not  confined  to  one  class,  for  the 
man  does  not  make  use  of  the  woman  to 
improve  his  social  position  out  of  doors  or 
to  advance  himself  in  his  profession,  but  he 
requires  her  only  for  the  purpose  of  love  for 
the  most  intimate  relations  of  the  home." 
144 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

"Yet  marriage  is  after  all  but  the  form 
for  the  law  of  nature  which  propagates  the 
human  race." 

"  Yes  ;  but  this  law  of  nature  is  much 
better  ordered  in  free  love  than  in  a  legal 
union.  Take  for  instance  a  marriage  where 
love  has  ceased  to  exist.  The  pair  are  not 
divorced,  and  children  are  brought  into  the 
world  one  after  the  other.  These  are  not 
children  born  of  love,  and  their  education, 
character,  and  disposition  will  suffer  accord- 
ingly. A  child  is  not  slow  to  discover  when 
there  is  no  sympathy,  no  union  of  hearts  and 
souls  between  his  parents.  In  free  love  the 
number  of  children  will  be  limited,  because 
a  husband  who  loves  his  wife  sincerely  does 
not  treat  her  like  a  machine,  and  surely  two 
children  are  sufficient  to  promote  the  happi- 
ness of  a  marriage.  If  among  the  lower 
classes  the  number  of  children  diminishes, 
one  of  the  crying  evils  that  fosters  socialism 
is  removed." 

"Well,  take  a  case  where  there  are  five 
children  of  a  legitimate  marriage  and  then 
substitute  free  love  for  such  a  marriage. 
The  man  will  probably  take  up  with  a  fresh 
woman  everv  year,  and  after  twenty  years 
under  normal  conditions  he  will  have  twenty 
145 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


children  instead  of  five.  What  will  become 
of  them?  He  can't  expect  to  bring  all  the 
children  of  his  old  liaisons  into  his  latest ; 
and  the  number  increasing  every  year,  how 
are  they  all  to  be  brought  up  ?  " 

"  There  might  be  a  law  to  make  a  father 
responsible  for  the  maintenance  of  children 
born  of  free  love  similar  to  the  one  concern- 
ing ordinary  illegitimate  children.  Then  he 
would  be  careful  to  arrange  matters  so  that 
the  claim  on  his  income  should  not  be  too 
heavy." 

"  Suppose  number  i  objects  to  the  child  of 
number  i  being  brought  into  the  house  ?  " 

"  There  might  be  institutions  on  a  grand 
scale  for  the  children  of  free  love.  Even 
under  present  conditions  it  is  often  better 
for  a  child  to  grow  up  away  from  its  parents 
and  not  to  be  a  witness  of  their  quarrels, 
which  can  hardly  have  a  salutary  effect  on 
his  mind.  Nevertheless  children  are  called 
the  pledges  of  love,  and  their  presence  in  a 

house  would  often  help   to   strengthen    the 

J.'    " 
tie. 

"  That  would  bring  us  back  to  marriage." 
"  Yes  ;  but  a  marriage  that  might  be  dis- 
solved any  day  of  one's  own  free  will  !      It 
would  be  well   if  mankind   imitated   nature 
146 


Life  in  a  Garriso7i  Toian 

in  everything;  to  try  and  elaborate  and  im- 
prove it  has  generally  the  opposite  effect. 
Animals  do  not  go  to  the  altar  or  the  regis- 
trar's office  when  they  want  to  mate.  And 
so  soon  as  they  have  had  enough  of  each 
other  they  run  away  in  opposite  directions, 
one  north,  the  other  south." 

"  But    we    are    not    animals,"    said    Frau 
Leimann  with  a  laugh. 

"  We  have  love,  they  instinct  ;  that  is  the 
difference." 

Frau  Leimann  was  silent.  It  was  long 
since  she  had  engaged  in  such  a  serious  con- 
versation, and  her  head  quite  ached  with 
thinking  so  much.  It  seemed  to  her  there 
were  still  points  in  the  argument  to  be  con- 
tested, but  in  the  main  she  felt  free  love  was 
right,  and  almost  deplored  that  civilisation 
was  not  yet  advanced  enough  to  adopt  it. 
It  would  have  been  infinitely  more  to  her 
taste  than  marriage  with  a  tiresome  ugly 
man  like  her  husband  who  had  so  many 
bad  qualities.  She  possessed  sufficient  femi- 
nine penetration  to  know  what  Borgert  was 
driving  at  by  thus  airing  his  views.  So  she 
tip-tilted  her  flushed  face,  glanced  roguishly 
at  the  apostle  of  Free  Love,  and  said  with 
well  feigned  ingenuousness  — 
147 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


"  Now  please  tell  me  what  a  woman  is  to 
do  who  is  already  bound  by  the  law  of  mar- 
riage, and  yet  has  gradually  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  she  would  prefer  free  love  ?  " 

"  She  should  certainly  act  on  her  convic- 
tion, though  not  openly,  in  the  sight  of  all, 
being  bound  in  honour  to  recognise  out- 
wardly the  still  existing  principle  of  mar- 
riage. She  should  manage  like  the  fair 
Parisians." 

"  Then  I  must  look  round  me  at  once  for 
some  clandestine  Romeo,  for  my  lawful 
husband  has  become  insupportable,"  Frau 
Leimann  exclaimed   merrily. 

"  Perhaps  I  can  be  of  some  service  to  you, 
Gnadigste,"  Borgert  retorted,  also  in  jest. 

"  You  certainly  may  simplify  matters,  for 
if  my  memory  is  not  at  fault  you  once  were 
kind  enough  to  offer  to  fill  the  role  yourself." 

"In  which  case  I  am  ready  to  offer  my 
services  now." 

"  Then  we  can  test  your  new  theory 
together.  It's  a  pity  there  is  no  secret  regis- 
trar's office  at  hand.  Ah,  but  I  forgot  you 
reject  all  preliminaries  as  superfluous." 

"  There  is  no  necessity  for  them.     We  can 
transact    the    business    between    ourselves," 
said  Borgert,  laughing. 
148 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


"  Does  it  require  no  formalities?" 

"  Of  course,  a  great  many,  and  the  same  as 
come  after  a  legitimate  marriage  ceremony." 

"Indeed!  You  mean  a  pressure  of  the 
hand  and  an  intense  tearful  expression." 

"  That  is  also  part  of  it." 

"  Part  ?  What  comes  next,  I  have  such  a 
bad  memory." 

"  I  will  whisper  it  in  your  ear  if  you  will 
come  a  little  closer." 

Frau  Leimann  drew  herself  nearer  Borgert, 
and  said,  smiling  artlessly  — 

"It  seems  to  be  a  great  mystery." 

She  bent  her  head  towards  Borgert,  who 
at  this  moment  threw  both  his  arms  round 
the  beautiful  woman,  while  his  lips  sought 
hers.  She,  too,  put  her  arms  round  his  neck, 
and  they  clung  to  each  other  in  a  long 
embrace,  the  love  which  had  been  for  some 
time  pent  up  in  their  hearts  finding  vent  at 
last  in  a  glowing  passionate  kiss. 

The  lamp  had  burnt  low  when  a  heavy, 
uncertain  step  was  heard  on  the  staircase. 

"  He  is  coming  !  "  Frau  Leimann  ex- 
claimed in  horror.  "  You  must  make  haste 
or  he  will  hear  you." 

A  last  embrace,  and  Borgert  darted  through 
149 


Life  in  a  Gai^rison  Town 


the  dining-room  to  the  far  end  of  the  corridor 
and  went  by  the  back  stairs  to  his  rooms  on 
the  ground  floor,  taking  the  precaution  to 
remove  his  shoes  before  he  crept  noiselessly 
down  the  dark  staircase. 

Frau  Leimann  blew  out  the  lamp,  put 
Borgert's  coffee  cup  under  the  sofa,  and  lay 
back  amongst  the  soft  cushions  apparently 
asleep.  Meanwhile  Leimann  had  opened 
the  corridor  door  noisily,  and  entered  the 
room  where  his  wife  awaited  him. 

He  paused  a  moment  on  the  threshold. 
He  fancied  that  he  smelt  the  smoke  of  a 
cigarette.  Then  he  put  out  his  hands  and 
fumbled  on  the  table  for  a  match-box,  lit  a 
candle,  and  beheld  his  wife  on  the  sofa. 

The  sight  touched  him.  The  faithful  little 
soul  had  been  sitting  up  then  to  make  him  a 
cup  of  coffee  ?  And  now  she  had  naturally 
fallen  asleep,  worn  out,  and  not  heard  him 
come  in.  He  approached  the  end  of  the 
sofa  cautiously  and  kissed  his  wife  on  the 
forehead.      She  started  up  with  a  little  cry. 

"  Oh,  is  it  you.  Max  ?  Where  have  you 
been  all  this  time  ?  " 

"Don't  be  angry,  my  angel,  for  keeping 
you  waiting,  but  I  never  thought  you  would 
sit  up.     Why  didn't  you  go  to  bed }  " 
150 


Ijifc  in  a  Garrk-on  Town 

There  was  an  affectionate  ring  in  his  voice 
that  sounded  almost  hke  an  apology  or  plea 
for  pardon,  Frau  Leimann  rubbed  her 
sleepy   eyes  and   arose  wearily. 

"  1  was  obliged  to  wait  up  for  you,  Max, 
you  were  again  in  such  a  dreadful  condition. 
When  I  saw  you  sitting  there  it  made  me  so 
miserable  that  I  came  home." 

"  Alone,  and  so  late  !  Why  did  you  not 
get  an  orderly  to  accompany  you  ? " 

"  Borgert  brought  me  to  the  door.  He 
offered  me  his  escort." 

"  I  must  thank  him  to-morrow ;  he  is  as  a 
rule  very  attentive  to  you.  What  became  of 
him  ?    I  scarcely  saw  him  the  whole  evening." 

"  He  complained  of  headache.  He  prob- 
ably went  to  bed." 

"  Why  didn't  you  offer  him  a  cup  of 
coffee  ? " 

"  Really,  Max,  what  would  the  servants 
think  if  they  had  heard  me  bring  in  a  man 
at  that  hour  of  the  night?  Marie  is  always 
peeping  and  listening  at  keyholes  ;  and  one 
has  to  be  careful  what  she  picks  up.  I  should 
be  afraid  to  say  how  much  she  has  gossiped 
about  us  already." 

"Send  her  away  if  you  can't  trust  her." 

"  I  should  have  done  it  long  ago,  but  I 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


cannot  give  her  warning  till  her  wages  are 
paid." 

"  Then  pay  them  to-morrow." 

"  How  can  I  pay  them?  Have  you  got 
the  money  ?  " 

"  I  ?  You  know  very  well  that  out  of 
my  wretched  screw  I  cannot  provide  for  the 
household.  Hasn't  your  mother  sent  any- 
thing this  month  ? " 

"  No ;  this  time  she  hasn't  enough  for 
herself." 

"  Oh,  of  course,  the  old  story." 

"  Is  that  intended  for  a  reproach  ?  You 
knew  from  the  first  that  I  was  not  well  off, 
so  do  me  the  favour,  please,  of  sparing  me 
your  grumblings  and  taunts,  for  they  are  in 
very  bad  taste." 

"  You  don't  like  to  hear  the  truth.  You 
ought  to  have  known  long  ago  that  to  keep 
up  a  household  without  money  is  an  absurd- 
ity. Every  day  now  there  is  the  beastly 
nuisance  of  first  the  butcher,  then  the 
baker  and  the  laundress  calling  for  their 
money." 

"  Wasn't  it  you  who  gave  me  no  peace  ? 
You  who  refused  to  consider  the  obstacles 
and  would  insist  on  a  marriage  ?  " 

"  I  may  have  done  so,  but  you  and  your 
152 


Life  iti  a  Garrison  Toivn 


mother  should  have  had  the  sense  to  see 
what  folly  it  was.  Your  mother,  at  least, 
knew  what  it  cost  to  keep  up  a  house.  How 
should  I  know  ?      Now  it  is  too  late." 

"  I  can  see  that  for  myself.  You  needn't 
rub  it  in.  But  I  am  not  to  blame,  and  if 
things  had  turned  out  according  to  my 
mother's  wishes  you  would  not  be  scolding 
your  wife  to-day.  You  were  not  the  only 
man   I   could   have  married." 

"  You  should  have  said  so  before,"  her 
husband  answered  contemptuously.  "  I  very 
much  regret  having  destroyed  your  brilHant 
prospects." 

"  You  are  more  vulgar  than  I  thought, 
Max." 

"  You  women  can  never  bear  to  hear  the 
truth.  Unless  one  is  eternally  flattering 
and  soft-soaping  you,  you  take  oflfence  at 
once." 

"At  any  rate,  you  do  not  overwhelm  me 
with  attentions  of  that  kind." 

"  Because  you  don't  deserve  them.  Per- 
haps I  should  be  grateful  to  you  for  not 
knowing  how  I  am  to  pay  my  shoemaker's 
bill,  when  instead  I  might  be  leading  a 
decent  bachelor's  life  at  the  Staff  College  ?  " 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  you  insolent  wretch  ; 

^S3 


Life  in  a  Garrisoji  l^oivfi 


you  have  no  right  to  insult  me  !  Leave  this 
room  or  I  leave  the  house." 

"  I  obey  your  command,  my  Gnadigste. 
Sweet  repose  !  " 

So  saying  Leimann  slammed  the  door  till 
the  window-panes  rattled,  and  went  to  his 
bedroom. 

His  wife  hid  her  face,  sobbing  in  the  sofa 
cushions,  and  poured  out  in  floods  of  tears 
all  the  anger  and  hatred  she  felt  for  her 
heartless  husband.  Her  whole  being  rose 
in  furious  revolt  against  the  brutal  nature 
of  the  man  whom  she  had  consented  to  fol- 
low, because  on  his  knees  he  had  sworn  he 
could  not  live  without  her.  Now  he  repaid 
her  by  trampling  her  love  under  his  feet, 
desecrating  all  the  sacred  memories  a  wo- 
man's heart  associates  with  the  most  serious 
step  in  her  life,  instead  of  being  her  support 
and  comfort  in  time  of  trouble. 

And  only  a  few  minutes  before  she  had, 
as  Borgert  released  her  from  his  embrace, 
felt  guilty  almost  of  committing  a  crime, 
of  outraging  the  sanctity  of  marriage  and 
practising  a  deception  on  one  who  suspected 
nothing.  Now  she  gloried  in  her  action,  and 
was  sure  that  it  was  only  her  husband's  just 
retribution  for  his  heartless  unfeeling  brutal- 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


ity.  For  a  woman's  heart  is  never  so  recep- 
tive to  the  illicit  love  of  another  man  than  at 
the  moment  when  it  is  writhing  under  the 
death-blow  administered  by  her  own  husband. 

The  dawn  of  the  new  day  drove  the  last 
merrymakers  from  the  casino.  Without  ex- 
ception the  champagne  had  done  its  work, 
and  everyone  left  the  festive  scene  in  a  state 
in  which  it  would  be  very  easy  afterwards  to 
transgress  the  bounds  of  good  manners. 

Five  struck  from  the  neighbouring  church 
tower  when  the  very  last  guests  —  Captain 
Stark,  his  wife  and  the  Colonel* — mounted 
the  regimental  carriage  that  they  had  kept 
waiting  three  hours.  The  horses  were  so  stiff 
from  standing  so  long  in  the  rain  which  had 
come  on  that  they  could  hardly  be  induced 
to  drag  their  burden  through  the  morning 
mist.  Only  after  the  coachman  had  received 
a  poke  which  he  passed  on  with  the  whip 
to  the  poor  brutes  did  the  conveyance  rum- 
ble forward  and  deposit  the  night  revellers 
at  their  dwellings.  Lieutenant  von  Meck- 
elburg  and  Lieutenant  Specht  could  scarcely 
stand  on  their  legs,  but  they  went  to  the 
barracks  for  5-6  drill  directly  they  had 
changed  their  clothes,  and  Specht,  it  is  true, 

155 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Tonm 


forgot  to  take  off  his  false  moustache,  and 
appeared  with  this  unwonted  manly  decora- 
tion before  his  amused  recruits. 

The  other  gentlemen  preferred  for  the 
most  part  to  sleep  off  their  carousal  to  going 
on  duty,  thinking  that  before  1 1  o'clock  to- 
day there  wasn't  likely  to  be  a  captain  at  the 
barracks. 

They  were  right  in  their  conjecture,  though 
Captain  Konig  was  there  punctually  at  7 
o'clock  to  be  present  at  Bleibtreu's  riding 
instruction,  and  afterwards  to  take  in  hand 
an  inspection  of  the  barracks.  His  principle 
was,  enjoy  yourself  as  much  as  you  like,  but 
duty  is  duty. 

Hagemann  did  not  appear  on  the  scene 
before  eleven,  when  he  hoped  to  walk  off  the 
effects  of  his  debauch.  Stark,  on  the  other 
hand,  elected  to  stay  at  home  altogether. 
His  indefatigable  wife  took  the  command 
instead,  and,  with  the  report-book  in  her 
hand,  saw  that  all  the  riding  instructors  were 
at  their  different  divisions.  The  first  she 
dotted  down  as  having  shirked  duty  was 
Kolberg. 

At  1.30  she  received  a  visit  from  Captain 
Hagemann,  who  came  to  apologise,  because 
on  the  previous  evening,  in  consequence  of 

156 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


being  excited,  he  had  made  the  "  sea-nymph  " 
some  rather  doubtful  compliments.  He 
had  expressed  himself  as  sure  that,  owing  to 
her  wealth  of  fat,  she  must  ride  the  storm 
superbly,  unless  her  size  caused  the  ocean 
to  overflow. 

Leimann  likewise  hurried  through  the 
streets  in  his  helmet  to  offer  apologies  for 
his  conduct  last  night. 

When  twilight  fell  the  majority  of  the 
officers  were  gathered  in  the  casino  for  an 
evening  drink  discussing  yesterday's  fete 
and  subjecting  those  who  had  taken  part 
in  it  to  more  or  less  trenchant  criticism. 
Borgert  had  much  to  say  in  his  most 
bantering  tone  of  the  latest  development 
between  Frau  Kahle  and  the  now  absent 
Kolberg.  Nothing  had  escaped  his  lynx 
eye,  which  was  even  penetrating  enough  to 
see  what  passed  behind  a  garden  screen. 

Meanwhile  the  object  of  his  satire  was 
sitting  comfortably  beside  the  stove  in  his 
room,  with   Frau   Kahle  on  his  knee. 

Her  longing  to  see  him  was  so  irresistible, 
that  on  the  pretext  of  having  shopping  to 
do,  she  had  escaped  from  her  husband, 
and,  under  the  cover  of  dusk,  had  hurried  to 
the  little  garden  at  the    other    end    of  the 

157 


Life  in  a  Gavjison  Town 


town,  where,  beneath  the  tall  chestnuts, 
stood  the  little  house  that  Kolberg  occupied. 
This  venture  met  with  such  success  that  it 
seemed  well  worth  while  to  repeat  it  as  often 
as  possible.  It  was  infinitely  preferable  to 
pass  a  cosy  hour  indoors  than  to  take  walks 
together,  for  in  this  tiny,  gossipy  hole  every- 
one was  on  the  look-out,  and  people  were  as 
pleased  as  Punch  when  they  got  hold  of  a 
tit-bit  of  gossip  which  their  neighbours  had 
not  heard.  The  very  trees  in  the  wood  could 
not  be  trusted,  for  hadn't  it  happened  once 
that  a  non-commissioned  officer  had  dropped 
down  from  the  top  of  an  elm,  at  the  foot  of 
which  another  man  was  making  love  to  his 
sweetheart,  and  given  him  a  sound  thrashing  ! 
Besides,  the  weather  for  the  most  part  was 
atrociously  cold,  and  warmth  is  conducive  to 
love. 

She  met  scarcely  anyone  after  her  shop- 
ping. When  she  passed  through  the  dark 
almost  deserted  streets  she  turned  her  steps 
in  the  direction  of  the  isolated  lonely  little 
house. 

The  happy  pair  of  lovers  never  thought 

of  being  on  their  guard  with  the  servant,  who 

was  despatched  on  these  occasions  either  into 

the  town  or  to  the  barracks.      It  soon  struck 

158 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


him  as  odd,  however,  that  he  was  sent  on 
these  errands  regularly  on  Mondays  and 
Thursdays.  It  dawned  on  him  that  they 
were  only  an  excuse  to  get  him  out  of  the 
way,  for  the  commissions  he  was  sent  on 
were  suspiciously  strange  and  unnecessary. 
So  one  day  he  stationed  himself  behind  a 
tree,  and  not  a  little  to  his  amazement  he 
beheld  the  wife  of  Captain  Kahle  coolly  walk 
into  his  lieutenant's  house.  His  curiosity 
gradually  increased,  and  he  began  to  make 
a  custom  of  hiding  beneath  the  window  and 
listening  through  the  thin  panes  to  every 
word  that  passed,  or  from  the  branches  of  a 
neighbouring  tree  he  would  get  a  bird's-eye 
view  of  the  interior  of  the  room.  He  was 
so  astonished  at  what  he  saw  that  at  last 
he  felt  obliged  to  unburden  himself  in  the 
canteen.  There  he  found  an  appreciative 
audience  who  roared  with  laughter.  But 
merriment  reached  its  highest  pitch  when 
Kolberg's  faithful  servant  produced  from  his 
pocket-book  a  hair-pin  that  he  had  found  in 
his  lieutenant's  apartment,  and,  handing  it 
over  to  Kahle's  orderly,  playfully  requested 
it  might  be  restored  to  the  lady  who  owned 
it.  Kolberg's  servant  now  became  an  inter- 
esting personality,  for  he  had  more  enthrall- 

159 


Life  in  a  Garrison  T'oivn 


ing  things  to  relate  than  Leimann's.  The 
latter  had  much  to  tell,  it  is  true,  about  his 
mistress  and  Borgert ;  but  there  were  gaps 
in  his  story,  because  the  servant-girl  was 
keeping  the  result  of  her  most  interesting 
observations  up  her  sleeve.  She  expected 
that  a  time  might  be  coming  when  it  would 
prove  a  trump-card  which  would  bring  forth 
not  only  the  wages  due  to  her  but  a  substan- 
tial extra  reward. 

Thus  several  months  went  by.  The  secret 
of  Kolberg's  intimacy  with  Frau  Kahle  had 
by  degrees  leaked  out,  and  was  being  chat- 
tered about  in  every  circle  and  commented 
on  in  all  the  beer-cellars  of  the  little  town. 

Kolberg's  brother  officers  knew  all  about 
it,  but  not  one  of  them  was  inclined  to  raise 
a  scandal  for  which  there  existed  so  little 
positive  proof.  The  two  people  concerned 
would  deny  the  charges  as  slander,  and  that 
would  place  the  man  who  brought  the  charges 
in  the  wrong,  for  having  wantonly  attacked 
the  honour  of  a  fellow  officer,  and  what  was 
worse,  the  honour  of  a  lady  of  the  regiment. 
The  consequences  might  be  serious  if  it  came 
into  court,  for  who  could  be  sure  that  Kol- 
berg's servant,  the  single  witness  of  the  in- 
trigue, would  abide  by  his  statements  when 
i6o 


LiJ'c  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


brought  to  book.  It  was  quite  within  the 
bounds  of  probabiHty  that  out  of  fear  of  pun- 
ishment he  would  repudiate  having  played 
the  eavesdropper,  or  put  a  different  and 
much  more  harmless  construction  on  the 
affair.  He  might  even  deny  having  seen 
anything  at  all. 

On  the  other  hand,  one  naturally  dreaded 
the  mud  that  would  be  stirred  up  by  a  reve- 
lation of  the  affair  which  would  involve  the 
dismissal  of  a  comrade  and  the  inevitable 
duel.  Captain  Kahle  was  universally  popu- 
lar ;  why  then  make  things  so  unpleasant 
for  him } 

So  the  matter  was  left  alone  till  gossip 
became  so  general,  especially  in  the  town, 
that  Captain  Konig  resolved  at  least  to  give 
the  commandant  a  private  hint. 

"  Is  this  an  official  report  ? "  asked  the 
Colonel.  "  No  .?  Then  I  will  know  nothing 
of  it.  I  am  not  going  to  put  my  finger  in 
any  such  unsavoury  pie." 

Konig  felt  little  disposed  himself  to  take 
the  initiative  in  bringing  the  scandal  to  light, 
and  to  get  a  challenge  for  his  pains,  so  he 
too  kept  silent. 

Thus  it  happened  that  no  steps  were 
taken  in  any  quarter  to  end  the  talk,  and  a 
■I  i6i 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


state  of  things  was  allowed  to  exist  that  re- 
flected on  the  officers  and  was  highly  injurious 
to   the    repute   of  the    regiment.      In    other 
classes  of  the  community  the  offenders  would 
certainly  have  been  called  to  account,  whereas 
in  the  army,  which  claims  the  highest  privi- 
leges socially  in  the  country  by  reason  of  the 
stainlessness  of  its  morals  and  its  irreproach- 
able reputation,  a  situation  which  outraged 
every    sense    of  decency    and    honour    was 
patiently    tolerated.      It    was     Colonel    von 
Kronau  on  whom  rested  the  gravest  respon- 
sibility.    This  gentleman,  who  never  failed 
to    punish    with     remorseless    severity    and 
harshness  any  breach  of  discipline  so  long  as 
his    own    person    had  nothing    to   fear,  was 
willing   to   suffer  this  slur  to  remain  on  the 
honour  of  the  regiment  under  his  command, 
for  here  he  foresaw  circumstances  that  might 
be  personally    unpleasant :  either  he  might 
be  made  a  party  in  a  libel  suit,  or  his  posi- 
tion as  Colonel  would  be  compromised  if  his 
superiors  got  wind  of  what  was  going  on  in 
his  regiment.      He  felt  a  decided  distaste  to 
both  ideas. 

Very  welcome  then  was  the  news  which 
he  received  one  day   in  an  official  dispatch 
that  Rittmeister  Kahle  had  got  his  majority 
162 


Life  in  a  Gar'7'ison  Toiai 


and  was  to  be  exchanged  to  a  South  German 
garrison.  Now  there  would  be  an  end  of 
the  whole  unpleasant  concern.  He  con- 
gratulated himself  doubly  on  not  having 
taken  any  hasty  action,  for  a  lucky  turn  of 
fate  had  relieved  him  of  the  trouble. 

Kahle  was  delighted  at  his  unexpectedly 
quick  promotion.  He  had  reached  the  goal 
of  long  years  of  steady  work  and  honest 
endeavour.  He  felt  now  that  he  could  face 
the  future  with  more  serenity,  having  turned 
that  critical  corner  of  promotion.  He  did 
not  doubt  that  a  military  career  that  would 
offer  him  the  best  field  for  the  exercise  of  his 
abilities  lay  before  him.  And  then  the  change 
to  a  pleasant  garrison  —  what  more  could  he 
desire  ? 

On  the  very  next  day  after  his  promotion 
all  the  officers  of  the  staff  assembled  at  a 
farewell  dinner  in  the  casino.  The  Colonel, 
in  honour  of  the  promoted  officer,  ordained 
epaulettes,  and  the  newly-made  major  looked 
particularly  smart,  in  all  the  glory  of  his 
orders  and  fringes. 

When    the    second    course  was  over   the 
Colonel  rose  and  made  the  departing  comrade 
a  farewell  speech  couched  in  the  most  heart- 
felt expressions  of  admiration  of  his  sterling 
163 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toili 


military  virtues  and  the  qualities  that  had  won 
him  without  exception  the  love  and  respect 
of  his  brother  officers  and  men.  He  then 
presented  him  with  the  customary  silver 
goblet  with  the  name  and  number  of  the 
regiment  engraved  on  it. 

Kahle  responded  in  a  voice  shaken  with 
emotion.  Mingled  feelings  of  joy  at  his 
promotion  and  pain  at  parting  from  the 
comrades  of  the  garrison  which  for  so  long 
had  been  the  scene  of  his  activity  found  an 
echo  in  his  farewell  words.  Though  he  had 
often  wished  himself  out  of  the  God-forsaken 
little  place,  with  all  its  petty  gossip  and  vex- 
ations, now  it  came  to  the  point  it  cut  him 
to  the  heart  to  part  for  ever  from  the  spot 
where  for  so  many  years  he  had  honourably 
striven  to  serve  his  country. 

The  officers  mustered  in  full  force  at  the 
station  on  the  following  day  at  noon  to  see 
the  Major  off.  When  he  had  said  good-bye 
to  each,  and  the  Colonel  had  embraced  him, 
he  turned  to  take  leave  of  his  wife  and  little 
boy.  This  farewell  touched  him  so  deeply 
that  he  could  scarcely  conceal  the  tears  that 
rose  to  his  eyes. 

He  felt  an  unusual  tenderness  for  his  wife 
in  prospect  of  the  new  home  started  under 
164 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


the  pleasantest  conditions  of  his  new  position. 
She,  too,  would  cure  herself  of  her  little 
faults  in  fresh  surroundings,  and  forget  the 
bitterness  of  having  passed  the  best  years  of 
her  young  life  in  a  little  frontier  town,  the 
dullness  and  narrowness  of  which  had  often 
been  irksome  to  her.  He  believed  that  so 
soon  as  she  was  settled  in  the  charming  South 
German  garrison  town  their  domestic  life 
would  become  more  agreeable.  New  impres- 
sions would  rub  off  the  angles  and  put  an 
end  to  the  small  bickerings  of  their  married 
life,  for  they  were  entirely  attributable  to  the 
seclusion  and  ennui  which  were  bound  to 
make  a  woman  of  lively  temperament  dis- 
contented and  captious. 

Frau  Kahle  was  to  stay  behind  in  the  old 
garrison  till  the  removal  of  the  furniture  was 
over,  and  Lieutenant  Weil  and  his  wife  had 
begged  her  to  accept  their  hospitality  for  the 
time  being. 

The  plan  suited  Frau  Kahle  admirably, 
and  she  accepted  the  invitation  with  delight. 
It  gave  her  an  opportunity  of  enjoying  Kol- 
berg's  society  for  a  few  days  longer,  unre- 
strained by  the  necessity  of  making  excuses 
for  her  goings  and  comings.  Perhaps  she 
would  be  able  to  manage  a  whole  day  and 
■6s 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


even  a  night  on  the  pretext  of  going  a 
journey  on  business.  Before  parting  for  so 
long,  it  might  be  for  ever,  she  must  take  a 
proper  farewell  of  her  lover,  and  drain  the 
cup  of  pleasure  to  the  dregs. 

One  day  the  Weils  were  sitting  with  their 
guest  at  four  o'clock  coffee  when  the  orderly 
brought  in  a  letter  for  Frau  Kahle,  which 
had  been  handed  to  him  by  the  postman. 
She  opened  it,  and,  after  glancing  over  it 
hurriedly,  stuck  it  in  the  pocket  of  her  coat 
with  a  slight  blush. 

"  Frau  Pastor  Klein  has  written  to  invite 
me  to  coffee  this  afternoon,"  she  explained. 
"  She  would  like  to  see  me  again  before  I 
go  away.  Charming  of  her,  isn't  it  ?  I 
think  I  had  better  go  at  once,  or  I  shall 
be  late." 

She  got  up,  emptied  her  cup  standing, 
and  then,  with  a  smiling  "  Au  revoir  till  this 
evening,"  danced  to  the  door.  A  few  min- 
utes later  Weil  saw  her  from  the  window 
walking  off  hurriedly  in  the  direction  of  the 
town. 

"  Extraordinary  !  "    he    exclaimed    to    his 
wife.       "  She  hasn't   had    much    intercourse 
with  the  pastor's  wife  before,  scarcely  knows 
her,  indeed  !      I  wonder  if  it's  a  ruse." 
i66 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"  Pray  let  her  go  where  she  likes,  Max," 
Frau  Weil  answered  indifferently.  "  It  isn't 
our  business.  \n  a  few  days  she  will  be 
gone,  and  after  all  she  is  responsible,  not  we, 
for  her  actions." 

But  Weil  shook  his  head  and  went  to  his 
study. 

At  eight  o'clock  Frau  Kahle  had  not  come 
back,  and  they  began  to  be  anxious  about 
their  guest.  What  could  have  happened  to 
her? 

While  the  servant-girl  was  laying  the 
table  in  the  next  room,  the  husband  and  wife 
went  through  the  various  possibilities  that 
might  account  for  their  guest's  prolonged 
absence. 

"  Minna,"  said  Frau  Weil,  turning  to  the 
servant,  "  it  will  be  best  for  you  to  go  to 
the  Frau  Pastor's  house  and  inquire  if  Frau 
Major  Kahle  is  there.  I  shall  have  no  peace 
till  I  know  where  she  is." 

"  She  cannot  be  at  the  Frau  Pastor's, 
madame,"  the  girl  answered.  "  At  about 
half-past  four  I  saw  the  Gnadige  Frau  as  I 
went  to  fetch  the  milk.  She  was  in  the 
avenue,  and  the  Frau  Pastor  lives  close  to 
the  church." 

"  Then  there  is   no  object  in  sending  to 
167 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


them,"  said  the  First  Lieutenant  with  a 
shrug  of  his  shoulders.  "  As  I  thought,  it 
was  only  a  ruse,  so  that  she  needn't  say 
where  she  was  going  in  reality.  I  know  her 
little  game." 

"  What  do  you  know,  Max  ? "  his  wife 
asked  curiously.  "  Where  do  you  think  she 
can  be  ?  " 

"  She's  at  Kolberg's,  or  I'll  eat  my  hat." 

"  But,  Max,  how  can  you  say  so  ?  She 
surely  wouldn't " 

"Wouldn't  she,  though.  I  tell  you  that's 
where  she  is." 

Both  were  silent  as  the  girl  re-entered, 
put  the  tea-urn  on  the  table,  and  then  drew 
from  her  pocket  a  crumpled,  three-cornered 
piece  of  paper,  which  she  handed  to  Weil 
with  a  significant  smirk. 

"  Perhaps,  master,  or  you,  mistress,  have 
dropped  this  ?  " 

While  Minna  withdrew  the  Lieutenant 
gazed  at  the  note,  his  eyes  wide  with  aston- 
ishment. Then,  with  a  mocking  laugh,  he 
held  the  missive  out  to  his  wife. 

"Kindly  look  at  this,  and  be  convinced. 
There  it  is  in  black  and  white." 

Frau  Weil  took  the  paper  somewhat  hesi- 
tatingly, and  read  — 

i68 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

"  I  shall  expect  you  at  half-past  four 
to-day ;   to-morrow   on  duty." 

Address  and  signature  there  were  none; 
but  it  was  Kolberg's  unmistakable  hand- 
writing. 

"  A  pretty  story  !  This  is  what  we  in- 
vited her  for,  then ;  to  lie,  and  hoodwink 
us,  and  carry  on  her  pranks  under  our  very 
nose  !  Didn't  I  tell  you  we  had  better  leave 
it  alone?  But  you  insisted  on  asking  her. 
If  you  had  only  listened  to  me,  I  should 
have  been  spared  the  distasteful  task  of  turn- 
ing the  baggage  out  of  my  house." 

"  Good  gracious,  Max,  you  can't  do  any- 
thing of  the  kind.  Put  the  letter  in  the 
fire." 

"  Not  I,"  burst  out  Weil.  "  I'll  kick  her 
out  of  the  house.  Do  you  think  I  am  go- 
ing to  keep  a  refuge  for  abandoned  women  ? 
She  can  go  where  she  pleases.  I  decline  the 
privilege  of  entertaining  her  any  longer ; 
and  the  letter  shall  not  be  put  in  the  fire,  but 
shall  be  laid  before  a  Court  of  Honour !  " 

Weil  strode  up  and  down  the  room,  his 
hands  in  his  pockets.  His  stern  glance  be- 
trayed his  anger  and  resolution. 

"  If  I  may  be  allowed  to  give  you  a  word 
of  advice,"  his  wife  urged,  "it  is  to  put  the 
169 


Life  in  a  Gcu^rison  Town 


letter  in  the  fire,  and  to  hush  up  the  whole 
matter.  In  two  days  she  will  be  gone,  and 
all  will  be  at  an  end.  Don't  mix  yourself 
up  in  it,  for  it  will  only  involve  you  in  un- 
told embarrassments  —  and  think  of  the 
poor  Major." 

"  I  shall  do  as  I  said,  and  nothing  will 
shake  my  determination.  You  are  no  judge 
of  an  affair  like  this.  I  will  not  counte- 
nance this  creature  in  carrying  on  her  in- 
trigue with  that  cur  Kolberg  from  under  my 
roof.  She  ought  at  least  to  have  had  enough 
sense  of  decency  left  to  stop  her  game  while 
she  was  receiving  hospitality  in  a  respectable 
house.  Such  horrible,  scandalous  behaviour 
is  unheard  of." 

Frau  Weil  gave  up  trying  to  prevail  with 
her  husband,  for  she  knew  his  temper  too 
well,  and  how  implacable  he  was  when  he 
had  made  up  his  mind  to  anything.  She 
knitted  her  brows  and  looked  thoughtfully 
into  the  fire,  which  glowed  red  in  the  stove 
and  cast  fliickering  shadows  on  the  carpet. 

The  servant-girl  came  in  and  announced 
that  supper  was  ready. 

"  Tell  us,  Minna  —  where  did  you  find  the 
letter  ?  "  the  Lieutenant  asked  her. 

"  It  was  lying  in  the  corridor  near  the  hat- 
170 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


stand.      It  must  have  fallen  out  of  someone's 
pocket." 

"Very  well ;  you  can  go." 

The  couple  sat  down  to  the  table  in 
silence.  Weil  maintained  his  angry  expres- 
sion, and  his  wife,  with  lowered  eyelids,  did 
not  look  up  from  her  plate  until  she  heard 
Frau  Kahle's  voice  in  the  corridor.  Then 
she  cast  an  anxious  glance  at  her  husband. 

"  She  is  coming,  Max.  And  please,  for 
Heaven's  sake,  don't  make  a  scene.  Think 
of  the  servants  —  they  can  hear  everything  !  " 

Weil  did  not  answer  or  look  towards  the 
door  as  their  guest  made  her  appearance. 

Her  face  was  flushed,  and  her  eyes  shone 
with  a  dewy  brilliance.  Her  fair  hair  was 
ruffled,  and  a  shell  hairpin  was  falling  out 
from  the  knot  at  the  back  of  her  head. 
Two  buttons  of  her  flimsy  summer  blouse 
were  unfastened,  showing  beneath  a  corner 
of  dainty  white  lace. 

"  Good  evening,  everybody,"  she  ex- 
claimed in  a  lively  voice  as  she  entered  the 
room.  "  Excuse  my  being  so  late ;  but 
Frau  Klein  persuaded  me  to  go  into  town 
with  her.  We  were  rather  late  back.  It 
was  delightful  !  We  went  to  a  cafe  and 
made  some  purchases." 
171 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Town 


Weil  rose  stiffly  and  confronted  his  guest. 

"  Gnadige  Frau,"  he  said  quietly,  "  it  is 
quite  unnecessary  on  your  part  to  seek  for 
reasons  to  explain  your  absence  this  evening. 
The  letter  which  came  for  you  this  after- 
noon, and  which  by  an  accident  has  fallen 
into  our  hands,  is  sufficient  proof  that  you 
have  abused  the  hospitality  accorded  to  you 
in  a  most  shameful  manner  !  May  I  there- 
fore ask  you  to  quit  my  house  as  soon  as 
possible,  in  fact  to-morrow  morning  at  latest  ? 
This  evening  you  will  kindly  leave  us  to 
ourselves." 

With  a  chilling  bow  he  returned  to  his 
seat  at  the  table. 

Frau  Kahle  stood  for  a  moment  as  if 
turned  to  stone  in  the  dimly-lighted  part  of 
the  room  ;  then  she  grasped  her  pocket 
spasmodically  —  her  hand  sought  something, 
but  in  vain,  and  the  Frau  Major  turned  to 
the  door  in  silence  and  walked  to  her  room, 
the  door  of  which  she  banged  furiously 
behind  her. 

After  supper  the  Lieutenant  went  to  his 
writing-table,  lit  his  lamp  with  the  green 
shade,  and  seated  himself  in  the  arm-chair. 
He  took  a  large  sheet  of  white  paper  from 
one  of  the  drawers,  dipped  his  pen  in  the 
172 


Life  in  a  GarriHon  Toxvn 


ink,  and  then  laid  it  down  and  meditated. 
For  half  an  hour  he  lay  back  in  his  chair 
contemplating  the  sheet  of  white  paper. 
Then  he  seized  the  penholder  and  began  to 
write. 

His  wife  sat  meanwhile  in  the  corner  of 
the  sofa  with  her  embroidery  and  a  very 
distressed  expression  on  her  face.  Now  and 
then  she  threw  a  glance  at  her  husband  as 
his  pen  scratched  rapidly  over  the  paper. 
At  last  the  document  was  finished.  Weil 
once  more  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and 
looked  meditatively  before  him.  Then  he 
read  over  what  he  had  written,  folded  it  up, 
and  enclosed  it  with  the  guilty  note  in  a 
yellow  envelope,  which  he  sealed.  After- 
wards he  shut  up  his  writing-materials  in  the 
drawer  again,  blew  out  the  lamp,  and  went 
to  sit  beside  his  wife  on  the  sofa,  where  he 
was  soon   deep  in   the  newspaper. 

Frau  Kahle  departed  by  the  first  train  the 
next  morning.  No  one  knew  her  destination 
—  not  even  the  orderly  who  carried  her  box 
to  the  station,  for  neither  in  writing  nor  by 
word  of  mouth  had  she  left  behind  her  a 
word  of  thanks  or  apology. 

At  noon  on  the  same  day  the  unsuspicious 
Lieutenant   Kolberg  was   summoned   before 

173 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 


his  commanding  officer  and  informed  tliat 
proceedings  were  being  instituted  against 
him,  and  that  he  would  be  reheved  of  duty 
till  further  notice. 

The  excitement  produced  by  these  events 
among  the  officers  may  be  imagined.  Every 
one  of  them  felt  a  sort  of  malicious  satisfac- 
tion that  the  unpleasant  affair  had  come  out 
and  was  known  beyond  their  own  circle,  for 
not  one  of  them  was  particularly  partial  to 
Kolberg,  who  had  been  secretive,  and  had 
withdrawn  himself  altogether  from  the  gaie- 
ties of  the  casino.  Much  less  was  there  any 
sympathy  for  the  coquettish  Frau  Kahle. 
Borgert  especially,  though  he  condemned 
Weil's  action  in  the  strongest  terms,  did 
not  refrain  from  criticising  severely  the  rela- 
tions between  Kolberg  and  Frau  Kahle. 
The  culprit  was  spoken  of  by  his  brother 
officers  in  language  which  in  print  would 
hardly  pass  muster  in  polite  circles,  and  it 
was  unanimously  resolved  to  "  cut "  the 
"  blackguardly  deceiver  and  low  hypocrite." 

Colonel  von  Kronau  was  in  a  great  fright 
on  the  morning  that  Captain  Stark  had  ap- 
peared with  the  warrant  from  the  Court  of 
Honour  and  Weil's  documents.  He  turned 
over  in  his  mind  what  was  to  be  done  to  put 
174 


Life  in  a  CTiirrison  Toicn 


the  least  objectionable  face  on  the  affair. 
But  now  it  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
Court,  who  were  bound,  according  to  rule, 
to  examine  and  sift  the  facts.  So  there  was 
nothing  for  it  but  to  confine  himself  to 
cursing  the  meddling  Lieutenant  Weil,  who 
had  let  him  in  for  the  detestable  business, 
and  to  register  a  vow  that  he  should  have 
cause  to  remember  it  when  the  time  came  for 
writing  his  conduct  report. 

The  Colonel  was  so  worried  that  in 
imagination  he  pictured  himself  living  in 
retirement  on  his  estate,  superintending  the 
unloading  of  a  hay-waggon. 

Most  of  all  to  be  pitied  was  poor  Major 
Kahle.  He  had  at  last  gained  what  for 
many  years  he  had  worked  and  struggled  to 
attain,  and  now  with  one  blow  his  success 
was  turned  into  disgrace  through  the  con- 
duct of  his   unprincipled  wife. 

He  had  no  idea  what  had  become  of  her, 
for  she  had  considered  it  advisable,  not  being 
sure  of  a  friendly  reception,  to  keep  out  of 
his  way.  She  had  sent  her  small  son  to  his 
grandparents,  and  in  lodgings  in  Berlin  was 
kilHng  time  with  writing  letters  full  of  re- 
proaches to  Kolberg,  and  in  gadding  about 
the  streets.      Kahle  was   firmly  resolved   to 

175 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Tozvn 


shut  the  door  in  his  unfaithful  wife's  face 
should  she  attempt  to  set  foot  in  his  house, 
and  was  meanwhile  making  his  application 
for  divorce. 

But  it  was  the  thought  of  the  inevitable 
duel  which  weighed  most  heavily  upon  him. 
Because  his  wife  had  deceived  him  in  the 
most  outrageous  manner,  he  was  bound  in 
honour  to  risk  being  shot  down  by  the  bullet 
of  her  seducer.  Rather  should  the  shameless 
wretch  have  been  deprived  of  his  position 
as  officer  and  sent  to  some  gaol  to  reflect  on 
the  grossness  of  his  conduct. 

He  must  fight  to  clear  his  wife's  honour. 
How  absurd,  he  thought  to  himself.  Has 
a  woman  a  rag  of  reputation  left,  a  spark 
of  honour,  who  deliberately  deceives  her 
husband  for  the  sake  of  the  first  man  who 
desires  her  charms  ?  She  was  nothing  more 
or  less  than  an  ignoble  prostitute.  Yet  for 
such  a  woman  he  must  risk  his  life  in  a 
duel.  What  a  ridiculous  farce  !  He  began  to 
wonder  if  there  was  any  way  of  avoiding  the 
contest.  Not  out  of  cowardice  or  fear  of 
death  did  he  wish  to  avoid  it  —  he  was  no 
coward,  but  he  could  not  see  why  the  fruits 
of  his  strenuous  effiDrts,  the  future  of  his 
child,  and  his  own  life  should  be  hazarded 
176 


I^ijc  ill  a  Gariison  Toi^n 


because  another  man  had  behaved  like  a 
despicable  scoundrel.  It  was  conceivable 
that  he  might  be  killed  by  his  adversary  in 
the  encounter,  in  which  case  an  innocent  man 
would  suffer  death,  the  heaviest  penalty  that 
can  be  inflicted,  while  the  criminal  would  get 
off  scot-free,  and  let  another  expiate  his  sin. 
Gradually  he  realised  that  there  was  no 
way  of  eluding  a  combat  with  deadly  weap- 
ons. If  he  declined  to  send  his  opponent 
a  challenge,  a  court  martial  would  certainly 
cashier  him  from  the  army,  because  he  had 
failed  to  maintain  the  honour  of  his  position. 
If  he  took  part  in  a  duel  and  escaped  with 
his  life,  he  would  be  punished  with  fortress- 
arrest.  The  last  alternative  seemed  the  lesser 
of  two  evils.  As  he  was  forced  to  take  the 
measure,  he  made  up  his  mind  to  show  no 
consideration  for  the  man  who  had  destroyed 
his  peace  and  disgraced  his  house.  He 
would  challenge  the  scoundrel  to  a  duel,  to 
be  fought  under  the  severest  regulations, 
and  either  kill  him  or  compel  him  to  take 
the  life  he  had  already  ruined.  The  Court 
of  Honour  were  engaged  on  the  proceed- 
ings for  several  months.  Things  came  out 
that  must  have  been  both  interesting  and 
instructive  to  the  younger  officers  of  the 
12  lyy 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Town 


corps,  and  a  particularly  doubtful  light  was 
thrown  on  Lieutenant  Kolberg's  ideas  of 
honour  and  friendship. 

The  behaviour  of  the  officers  before  the 
catastrophe  also  gave  food  for  reflection,  and 
must  have  seemed  rather  strange.  Since 
things  had  come  out  Kolberg  had  been  sent 
to  Coventry  by  his  brother  officers,  and  was 
only  seen  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  gar- 
rison on  horseback. 

But  one  day  Borgert  happened  to  find 
himself  in  financial  straits.  In  desperation 
at  every  other  source  failing  him,  he  made 
an  application  to  Kolberg  for  a  loan.  The 
latter  was  well  aware  of  Borgert's  influence 
among  the  younger  officers,  and  did  not  fail 
to  take  advantage  of  this  opportunity  of 
winning  him  over.  He  eagerly  lent  the 
thousand  marks  required  by  Borgert,  raising 
the  money  on  security  of  his  own  thorough- 
bred. 

Borgert  was  not  slow  to  prove  his  grati- 
tude. A  few  days  later  he  had  convinced 
them  all  at  mess  that  Kolberg  possessed  ex- 
cellent qualities  as  a  comrade,  and  ridiculed 
the  present  development  of  the  situation 
between  him  and  his  superior  officers.  Thus 
the  young  lieutenant,  suspended  though  he 
178 


IJfe  in  a  Garrison  Tovcn 


was  from  serving  in  the  army,  became  in  re- 
quest again  both  as  guest  and  as  host.  When 
he  entertained  his  friends  he  boasted  over 
the  sparkling  champagne  of  the  forthcoming 
duel,  and  seemed  cock-sure  that  he  was  going 
to  run  Kahle  through. 

In  this  manner  he  grew  to  be  the  hero  of 
the  hour  and  famous  for  the  daring  gal- 
lantry which  had  won  a  "lady"  in  a  case 
where  his  brother  officers  would  have  had 
to  be  content  with  a  "  woman  of  the  town." 

But  on  the  day  Kahle's  challenge  arrived 
his  mood  was  a  little  more  modest. 

"  Distance,  fifteen  paces,  rifle  pistols  with 
sight  and  exchange  of  bullets,  till  one  or 
other  of  the  combatants  is  disabled." 

He  had  not  anticipated  this,  and  the  con- 
ditions under  which  the  duel  was  to  be 
fought  were  anything  but  what  he  would 
have  chosen.  Kahle  was  known  to  be  a 
dead  shot,  and  his  reputation  as  a  great 
sportsman  even  outside  the  garrison  ex- 
tended far  and  wide. 

So  Kolberg  took  expeditions  into  the 
wood  every  day  to  practise  shooting  in 
order  to  be  better  prepared  to  meet  his 
opponent  on  the  day  of  the  contest. 

As    he    discharged    one    bullet    after    the 
179 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


other  Into  the  trunk  of  the  innocent  beech, 
it  came  into  his  mind  that  perhaps  he  would 
not  hit  the  Major,  because  he  had  deceived 
and  sinned  against  him.  It  was  the  last 
flicker  of  a  guilty  conscience  rapidly  becom- 
ing dead  to  all  sense  of  right  and  duty. 
His  scruples  were  soon  overcome  by  a  more 
powerful  sentiment  —  the  mad  clinging  to 
life,  the  life  which  the  more  he  contemplated 
the  possibility  of  losing  seemed  to  him  the 
more  full  of  attractions  ;  and  a  voice  within 
him  cried,  "  You  do  not  want  to  die,  you 
want  to  live  —  live." 

And  so  the  best  way  out  of  it  was  to 
stretch  his  opponent  on  the  sand. 

It  was  not  till  four  months  had  passed 
away  that  the  Court  of  Honour  pronounced 
sentence.  Kolberg  was  dismissed  from  the 
service  ;  but  when  this  verdict  was  sent  to 
be  ratified  by  His  Majesty  it  was  accom- 
panied by  a  recommendation  that  the  officer 
should  be  graciously  pardoned  and  reinstated. 
The  duel  was  accepted  in  principle,  but  not 
the  conditions  proposed  by  Kahle.  It  was 
probably  feared  that  a  bloody  issue  to  the 
affair  would  create  too  great  a  sensation. 
There  had  been  many  cases  of  late  in  which 
the  death  of  one  or  other  of  the  duellists  had 
1 80 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


had  very  serious  consequences  for  those 
superior  officers  who  had  not  interfered  to 
prevent  the  duel  or  to  soften  its  conditions. 
The  amended  challenge  therefore  was  as 
follows  :  — 

Thirty-five  paces  distance,  a  single  ex- 
change of  bullets  with  smooth  bore  pistols 
and  without  sights. 

Kahle  was  thus  not  allowed  a  chance  of 
avenging  the  outrage  on  the  honour  of  his 
household,  because  the  gentlemen  in  author- 
ity were  too  wary  and  careful  of  their  own 
skin  to  permit  his  obtaining  the  proper 
satisfaction. 

/  This  duel  was  simply  a  farce  —  a  fatal  issue 
could  only  be  the  result  of  an  accident. 
Borgert  accepted  with  delight  Kolberg's 
invitation  to  act  as  his  second.  He  did  not 
object  in  the  least  to  being  the  spectator  of  a 
dangerous  combat  which  involved  no  danger 
to  himself.  He  also  hoped  that  by  render- 
ing Kolberg  this  service  to  be  able  to  keep 
him  waiting  a  long  time  before  repaying  the 
thousand  marks.  All  Kolberg's  cronies 
assembled  at  his  table  for  a  carousal  on  the 
eve  of  his  departure  for  the  town  in  South 
Germany,  the  neighbourhood  of  which  was 
to  be  the  scene  of  the  duel.  Kolberg  was  so 
i8i 


Life  in  a  Gai^rison  Town 


much  the  worse  for  drink  that  his  servant 
had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  getting  him  out 
of  bed  in  the  morning  in  time  to  catch  the 
train. 

It  was  the  same  with  Borgert,  who,  as  he 
stood  on  the  platform  could  not  shake  off  the 
impression  that  the  occasion  was  a  festive 
one.  He  naturally,  under  the  circumstances, 
had  forgotten  to  supply  himself  with  money 
for  the  journey,  and  generously  accepted  the 
hundred  mark  note  which  Kolberg  pressed 
into  his  hand. 

Through  the  chill  air  of  early  morning  two 
carriages  drove  briskly  in  the  direction  of 
the  shooting-ground  of  Major  Kahle's  gar- 
rison. The  sun  was  rising  above  the  moun- 
tain-tops in  the  East,  and  its  first  rays 
lay  aslant  the  far-stretching  stubble  fields. 
Nature,  clothed  in  her  autumn  glory,  seemed 
profoundly  peaceful,  and  deep  silence  reigned 
in  the  forest,  broken  only  now  and  again  by 
the  falling  of  a  faded  leaf  as  it  whirled  softly 
through  the  dry  branches  to  find  its  grave  on 
the  ground. 

Borgert,  Kolberg  and  two  physicians  were 

seated    in   one   carriage,   in   the    other   were 

Kahle,  his  second,  and  the  two  members  of 

the  Court  of  Honour  who  were  to  act   as 

182 


IJfe  in  a  Garrison  Town 


neutral   witnesses  of  the  combat.     The  case 
of  pistols  was  under  the  back  seat. 

From  the  high  road  the  carriages  turned 
into  a  lane  so  narrow  that  the  branches  of 
the  trees  on  either  side  constantly  swept 
against  the  windows.  They  drew  up  on  an 
open  space.  The  occupants  of  the  carriages 
got  out  and  the  coachmen  received  orders 
to  drive  back  and  wait  at  the  entrance  to  the 
forest. 

The  little  party  then  walked  for  about  five 
minutes  down  a  small  pathway  and  collected 
near  the  shooting  butt,  which  was  situated 
farther  in  the  forest.  The  case  of  pistols 
was  laid  on  a  mound,  and  the  seconds  took 
out  and  loaded  the  weapons  and  then  tested 
them. 

The  doctors  spread  out  their  instruments, 
and  unwound  yards  of  bandages,  while  the 
neutral  spectators  measured  the  distance  in 
strides,  sticking  their  swords  in  the  slightly 
frozen  ground  to  mark  the  spot  where  the 
combatants  were  to  stand.  According  to 
usage,  an  effort  was  made  to  reconcile  the 
duellists  at  the  last  moment,  which,  of  course, 
failed ;  and  they  took  up  their  position  op- 
posite each  other  by  the  swords. 

Kahle  looked  pale  and  worn,  as  if  he  had 
183 


Life  in  a  Gariison  T'own 


not  slept  all  night.  He  shivered  with  cold, 
and  his  nervously  twitching  features  betrayed 
violent  emotion. 

Kolberg,  on  the  contrary,  appeared  to  be 
at  his  ease,  and  almost  smiling.  He  threw 
away  the  stump  of  the  cigarette  he  had  been 
smoking  with  a  careless  gesture. 

One  of  the  bystanders  then  briefly  stated 
the  order  of  combat,  saying  that  the  shots 
must  be  fired  between  "  one  "  and  "  three." 

After  a  pause  came  the  exclamation, 
"  Ready  ! " 

Both  combatants  held  their  pistols  point- 
ing towards  the  ground,  to  raise  them  and 
take  aim  at  "  one."  Simultaneously  with 
"  two "  Kahle's  shot  was  fired,  and  the 
bullet  pierced  with  a  clattering  sound  the 
bark  of  a  beech-tree,  bringing  down  a 
withered  branch.  His  hand  had  trembled 
and  been  so  unsteady  that  he  had  shot  quite 
a  yard  over  Kolberg's  head.  The  latter 
stood  firm  and  immovable,  not  taking  aim 
till  the  last  moment.  The  trigger  of  his 
pistol  clicked  at  "  three." 

Kahle  looked  unflinchingly    at  the   little 

black  mouth  of  his   opponent's  pistol,   but 

after  the  report  his  eyes  opened  wide,  and 

he  staggered  and  fell  to  the  earth.     Kolberg 

184 


Life  m  a  Garrison  Town 


felt  a  cold  shudder  creep  down  his  spine  at  the 
sight  of  this  great  strong  man  falling  back- 
wards. For  an  instant  he  stood  as  if  stunned, 
and  the  weapon  dropped  from  his  hand. 

The  others  at  once  hurried  to  the  Major's 
side,  and  the  doctors  ripped  open  his  coat. 

A  stream  of  blood  trickled  from  a  small 
wound  in  the  middle  of  his  chest. 

Kahle  only  lost  consciousness  for  a  minute. 
He  lay  there  now  very  pale,  with  his  eyes 
fixed  steadily  on  those  gathered  round  him. 
Kolberg  came  forward,  stretching  out  his 
hand  to  the  Major,  but  he  reeled  back  as  if 
he  had  been  struck  when  he  met  the  cold 
disdainful  look  of  refusal  in  the  Major's 
glazing  eyes.  He  stood  by  his  victim  for  a 
moment,  then  turned  on  his  heel  and  walked 
away  into  the  forest. 

The  Major's  wound  was  pronounced  not 
dangerous,  but  the  bullet  had  slightly  in- 
jured one  of  his  lungs,  and  it  would  be  a 
long  time  before  it  healed. 

A  carriage  was  fetched,  and  the  Major 
gently  lifted  into  it.  The  doctors  got  in 
too.  Kahle's  second  climbed  to  the  box 
beside  the  coachman,  and  they  drove  slowly 
back  to  the  town  to  get  the  injured  man  into 
hospital  without  delay. 
185 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


Kolberg's  depressed  spirits  were  not  of 
long  duration.  When  he  and  Borgert  at 
the  entrance  of  the  town  parted  from  the 
other  occupants  of  their  carriage,  his  com- 
panion slapped  him  on  the  shoulder  and 
exclaimed  cheerily  — 

"  Come,  now,  don't  pull  such  a  long  face, 
old  man.  Congratulate  yourself  that  you 
have  escaped  with  a  whole  skin.  You  can't 
help  having  hit  the  poor  devil  in  the  chest. 
It  was  he  challenged  you,  not  you  him.  I 
vote  that  we  have  breakfast  now.  I  am  not 
accustomed  to  rambling  about  a  forest  so 
early  in  the  morning,  and  my  stomach 
cries  out." 

"  I  am  sorry  that  I  hit  the  poor  Major ;  I 
wish  I  had  not  done  it,"  Kolberg  answered 
in  a  serious  voice.  "  Devil  take  the  women. 
They  are  at  the  bottom  of  everything.  Why 
did  I  have  anything  to  do  with  this  Kahle 
woman  ? " 

"  You  needn't  worry  about  that.  The 
Major  is  alone  to  blame.  He  should  have 
looked  after  his  gay  and  pretty  wife  better, 
and  then  she  wouldn't  have  become  no  better 
than  she  ought  to  be.  To-day  she  takes  up 
with  one,  to-morrow  with  another,  so  it's  no 
crime  on  your  part  to  have  amused  yourself 
i86 


Life  hi  a  Garrison  Town 


a    little    at    her    expense.     We    must    treat 
women  according  to  their  merits." 

The  voluble  Borgert  thus  succeeded  by 
degrees  in  cheering  up  Kolberg,  who,  in  his 
heart,  agreed  with  what  he  said,  and  felt 
no  disgust  at  the  vile  heartlessness  of  the 
other's  brutal  words,  for  they  were  birds  of 
a  feather. 

They  changed  into  plain  dress  at  their 
hotel,  and  went  to  breakfast  in  a  restaurant, 
where  the  waiters,  only  half  awake,  were 
dusting  the  chairs,  and  stared  in  astonish- 
ment at  the  early  risers.  Beginning  the  day 
with  cognac,  the  pair  ended  it  at  night  with 
champagne  in  a  cafe  of  ill-fame.  Anyone 
who  saw  these  lieutenants  in  mufti,  chaffing 
the  brazen  waitresses,  could  easily  believe 
that  the  grave  events  of  the  morning  had 
ceased  to  weigh  upon  their  spirits,  and  that 
they  had  completely  regained  the  ordinary 
composure  of  an  untroubled  conscience. 

On  their  return  to  the  garrison  the  next 
day  the  two  heroes  of  the  duel  received  a 
tremendous  ovation.  A  number  of  officers 
met  them  at  the  station  and  accompanied 
Kolberg  to  his  house,  where  in  honour  of 
his  success  they  indulged  freely  in  drink. 
The  other  officers,  especially  the  elder  ones, 
187 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


held  that  Kolberg  showed  very  bad  taste  in 
entertaining  a  party  directly  he  came  back, 
instead  of  wishing  to  be  alone  to  meditate 
on  the  sad  outcome  of  his  dastardly  conduct. 
Two  days  later  the  ratification  of  the  ver- 
dict came  from  Berlin.  Though  Kolberg's 
rehabilitation  was  sanctioned,  he  was  ordered 
at  once  to  another  garrison,  as  he  could 
scarcely  remain  on  the  scene  of  his  former 
exploits  any  longer.  However,  before  start- 
ing for  the  beautiful  town  on  the  Rhine  where 
he  was  to  be  stationed  for  the  future,  he  was 
obliged  to  bend  his  steps  in  the  direction 
of  a  fortress,  in  which  he  was  to  reside  for 
a  month  or  two  as  punishment  for  having 
taken  part  in  a  duel  with  "  weapons  that 
were  dangerous  to  Hfe."  The  Major's  re- 
covery was  very  slow.  The  two  army  sur- 
geons had  decided  to  extract  the  bullet,  which 
was  lodged  near  the  vertebrate  column,  but 
the  operation  had  been  not  altogether  suc- 
cessful. Though  the  bullet  had  been  re- 
moved, acute  inflammation  had  set  up  in 
the  wound,  which  caused  intense  pain  and 
a  persistent  high  temperature.  At  the  end 
of  the  winter,  when  the  Major  came  out  of 
hospital,  he  was  a  complete  wreck,  both 
mentally  and  physically,  and  forced  to  resign 
i88 


Ijifc  in  a  Gm^rison  Toivii 


his  commission,  being  incapable  any  longer 
of  bearing  the  fatigue  of  military  service. 

He,  too,  was  sentenced  to  three  months' 
detention  in  a  fortress,  but  after  two  days  he 
was  released,  the  exigencies  of  the  law  being 
satisfied. 

So  Kahle  in  the  prime  of  his  manhood 
saw  his  worldly  prospects  blasted.  He  could 
never  be  much  better  than  an  invalid,  and 
must  look  for  employment  in  some  other 
calling  of  life,  for  his  scanty  pension  was  not 
enough  for  himself  and  his  son  to  live  on 
comfortably.  The  private  fortune  his  wife 
had  brought  him  on  their  marriage  reverted 
to  her  after  the  divorce. 

And  why  had  all  this  happened  ?  Because 
custom  had  compelled  him  to  vindicate  his 
wife's  honour.  For  her  sake  he  had  sacri- 
ficed himself.  The  Major  only  realised  how 
worthy  she  was  of  such  a  sacrifice  when  he 
heard  that  his  divorced  wife  was  "  keeping 
house "  for  a  young  baron  in   Berlin. 

Kolberg  meanwhile  managed  to  enjoy  life 
to  the  full  on  the  banks  of  the  beautiful 
Rhine. 


189 


Chapter  V 

IN  his  sumptuous  quarters  Lieutenant 
Borgert  sat  at  his  writing-table. 
Before  him  lay  a  sheet  of  paper 
covered  with  figures,  and  around  him  was 
quite  a  mountain  of  papers,  bills  and  coloured 
envelopes. 

He  seized  one  account  after  the  other, 
noting  down  the  figures  he  found  thereon 
on  the  sheet  before  him,  and  had  already 
begun  the  third  row,  when,  suddenly  stopping, 
he  threw  the  pencil  on  the  table.  He  crushed 
the  papers  together  as  if  they  were  a  pack  of 
rubbish,  threw  them  into  the  fire,  when  they 
at  once  began  to  flare  up,  and  a  few  minutes 
later  lay  crackling  in  their  ashes. 

He  had  had  the  praiseworthy  resolution 
for  once,  far  from  his  usual  custom  of  simply 
throwing  all  his  bills  unopened  in  the  fire,  to 
add  them  up  in  order  to  gain  something  like 
an  idea  of  the  amount  and  size  of  his  debts. 

But  it  was  not  possible  to  make  his  way 
through    the    endless    heap    of    angry    and 
threatening   letters,  writs  and    demands   for 
190 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivu 


payment.  But  at  any  rate  it  had  become 
evident  to  him  that  it  was  out  of  the  ques- 
tion to  think  of  meeting  his  debts,  because 
the  amount  considerably  exceeded  even  what 
he  had  supposed.  He  had  already  reckoned 
up  eleven  thousand  marks,  and  in  addition 
to  this  there  was  the  heap  of  bills  which  he 
had  just  consigned  to  the  flames. 

But  the  seven  hundred  marks  which  he 
still  owed  to  Captain  Konig  pressed  the  most 
heavily  upon  him  ;  other  sums  also  troubled 
him  much,  for  they  were  debts  of  honour, 
and  the  first  for  2300  marks  would  be  due 
in  six  weeks.  How  could  he  meet  it  without 
theft  ? 

He  began  to  deliberate.  He  had  already 
given  a  bill  of  sale  over  his  furniture ;  one  of 
his  horses  was  pledged  twice  over,  and  for 
the  other,  his  old  charger,  he  would  scarcely 
get  three  hundred  marks,  and  that  would 
be  only  a  drop  in  the  ocean.  He  had  no 
longer  a  single  friend  from  whom  he  could 
successfully  attempt  to  borrow,  except  pos- 
sibly Konig.  But  how  could  he  again  ap- 
proach the  latter  with  such  a  request  ?  He 
could  not  well  do  that  before  at  least  refund- 
ing him  his  seven  hundred  marks.  The 
only  hope  was  to  try  to  get  a  loan  from  the 
191 


Life  in  a  GcuTison  Toivn 


money-lender  in  Berlin,  but  the  fellow  had 
not  answered  his  letter,  although  he  had 
already  been  in  possession  of  Lieutenant 
Leimann's  surety  for  three  weeks,  and  an 
insurance  policy  for  over  2,0,000  marks. 

For  the  present  that  could  not  help  him. 
He  wanted  to  try  and  quiet  his  more  press- 
ing creditors,  and  only  if  possible  to  pay 
something  on  account  of  those  debts  for 
which  he  could  be  summoned  or  brought 
before  his  Colonel.  Perhaps  the  future 
would  bring  something — a  lucky  game  of 
cards,  a  big  prize  in  the  lottery,  or  perhaps 
even  a  rich  bride. 

These  hopes  again  put  him  in  a  good 
humour ;  he  lit  a  cigarette  and  whistled  to 
himself  as  he  walked  up  and  down  over  the 
thick  carpet. 

A  sound  in  the  corridor  drew  his  attention. 
He  heard  a  voice  whispering  and  steps  on 
the  hall-carpet,  then  somebody  knocked 
softly  at  the  door. 

It  must  be  Frau  Leimann,  he  said  to  him- 
self, for  she  often  came  at  tea-time  to  her 
lover  while  her  husband  went  out  for  his 
evening  drink. 

In  answer  to  his  "  Come  in,"  a  poorly- 
dressed  woman  with  a  basket  on  her  arm 
192 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


crossed  the  threshold.  Upon  her  youthful 
face  care  and  sorrow  had  stamped  premature 
lines,  and  she  looked  with  frightened  eyes  at 
the  Lieutenant,  who  remained  standing  in 
the  room  and  was  looking  at  her  with  undis- 
guised displeasure. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  again,  Frau 
Meyer  ?  "  Borgert  blustered.  "  I  have  told 
you  that  I  shall  give  you  no  more  washing 
to  do." 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,  I  only  wanted  to  know 
if  you  can  pay  me  the  forty  marks  to-day,  or 
at  least  some  of  it.  I  must  have  money,  my 
husband  has  been  ill  in  bed  these  three 
weeks  and  cannot  go  to  work." 

"  Your  eternal  dunning  !  "  he  roughly 
answered.  "  Come  again  this  evening ;  I 
must  get  change  and  have  no  time  now." 

"  But  keep  your  word  this  time,  sir  ;  you 
have  so  often  promised  me  the  money." 

Saying  this  she  quietly  opened  the  door 
and  went  out.  Borgert  however  flung  open 
the  window  to  let  in  the  fresh  autumn  air. 
The  atmosphere  of  the  poor  was  unbearable 
to  him  ;  it  was  always  mustv  and  unpleasant, 
like  mildew.  He  took  a  bottle  of  perfume 
from  the  carved  cupboard  and  sprinkled  its 
contents  on  the  Persian  carpet  and  on  the 
13  193 


Life  ill  a  Gaiiison  Town 


cushions  of  the  chairs.     Then    he    rang  for 
his   man. 

He  came  immediately.  It  was  Private 
Rose,  whom  the  Captain  would  no  longer 
have  in  the  ranks  because  he  was  so  unreli- 
able, and  owing  to  his  deficient  sense  of  duty 
injured  the  discipline  of  the  squadron. 

"  What  have  I  ordered  you  to  do,  you 
swine  ?  "  the  Lieutenant  roared  at  him. 

"That  I  should  let  no  one  in  unan- 
nounced," he  answered  timidly,  "  but  the 
woman  pushed  by  me,  and  I  could  not 
prevent  her  entering." 

"  Take  your  carcass  away,  you  lazy  brute, 
you  !  Let  nobody  in  before  asking  me  first. 
If  you  do  I'll  give  you  a  good  thrashing, 
you  swine,   you." 

Then  he  struck  Rose  in  the  face  with  both 
hands,  opened  the  door,  and  kicked  him 
out. 

"  If  that  woman  comes  again  this  evening, 
tell  her  I  have  gone  out !  "  he  called  after 
him. 

Borgert  had  just  settled  down,  newspaper 
in  hand,  by  the  window  as  the  hall  bell  again 
rang.  It  was  a  short,  energetic  ring.  The 
man  came  in,  his  face  swollen  with  tears, 
and  announced : 

194 


IJJ'c  in  a  Ga7'?isoji  Town 

"  A  man  wants  to  speak  to  you  on  impor- 
tant business." 

"  What  is  his  name  ?  You  should  always 
ask  the  name." 

The  man  went  out  but  returned  very  soon. 

"  He  will  not  give  his  name,  but  he  says 
he  absolutely  must  speak  with  you,  sir." 

"  Let  him  come  in." 

A  moment  later  a  man  entered  with  a 
leather  bag  under  his  arm,  and  introduced 
himself  as  Krause,  the  Court  bailiff. 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,  if  I  disturb  you.  I  have 
a  summons  for  you.     Thank  you  !  " 

Upon  which  he  took  a  thick  envelope 
from  his  bag  and  handed  it  to  Borgert,  who, 
however,  without  losing  his  self-command, 
answered   pleasantly  : 

"  Oh,  I  know  what  it  is!  In  any  case  I 
paid  it  only  yesterday.  It  is  only  a  small 
sum  which   I   owe  to  my  tailor." 

"  As  far  as  my  knowledge  goes  it  is  a 
question  of  a  summons  on  a  bill  of  exchange 
from  Frohlich  &  Co.,  and  the  amount  is  four 
thousand  marks  for  furniture  delivered." 

"  Oh,  that  is  the  thing  !  The  good  man 
could  have  spared  himself  the  trouble.  The 
amount  was  sent  by  my  bankers  the  day 
before  yesterday." 

195 


Life  in  a  Gcuiison  Town 


"  So  much  the  better,"  laughed  the  official. 
"  I  have  the  honour  to  wish  you  good  day  !  " 

"  Good  day,  Herr  Krause ;  I  should  say 
come  again  if  your  visit  were  not  such  a 
doubtful    pleasure." 

As  soon  as  the  man  was  outside,  Borgert 
tore  open  the  envelope  and  glanced  through 
the  contents  of  the  document. 

Matters  were  now  desperate.  The  fur- 
niture was  not  yet  paid  for  and  already 
pledged,  although  in  the  contract  of  sale  it 
was  definitely  stated  that  the  goods  remained 
the  property  of  the  vendor  till  entirely  paid 
for. 

Four  thousand  marks  !  What  a  heap  of 
money  !  He  must  speak  with  Leimann ; 
perhaps  something  could  yet  be  done. 

Suddenly  it  occurred  to  him  that  the 
bailiff  had  not  yet  left  the  premises.  So  he 
called  his  servant  and  asked  : 

"  Where  has  the  man  gone  ?  " 

"  Upstairs,  Herr  Lieutenant." 

Whatever  could  he  have  to  do  there  ? 
Could  Leimann  be  in  the  same  hole  as  he .'' 
That  would  be  a  dreadful  thing,  for  Leimann 
had  always  been  a  kind  of  support,  either  by 
being  security  for  promised  payment  or  help- 
ing to  quiet  the  creditors. 
196 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Tozvn 


In  the  meantime  Herr  Krause  had  served 
a  summons  from  Weinstein  &  Co.  on  Frau 
Leimann  for  four  hundred  marks  which  she 
owed  that  firm  for  a  silk  dress. 

She  was  desperate  and  began  pacing  up 
and  down  the  room  Hke  a  mad  thing.  What 
was  to  be  done  ?  Where  get  the  money  ? 
She  would  beg  Borgert  to  give  her  the 
amount.  But  what  would  he  think  of  her? 
Would  he  not  lose  all  respect  for  her  ? 

For  a  moment  she  stood  irresolute  in  the 
room,  pressing  both  hands  to  her  beating 
heart.  Then  she  resolutely  went  to  the 
door  and  hurried  down  the  back  stairs. 

She  found  Borgert  in  his  chair  brooding  ; 
he  did  not  even  rise  as  she  entered,  but 
greeted  her  with  a  wave  of  his  hand.  She 
came  up  to  him  and  kissed  him  tenderly  on 
his  forehead,  then  sat  down  on  his  knee, 
while  he,  placing  his  arm  round  her  slender 
waist,  looked  questioningly  in  her  face. 

"  What  strange  visitor  have  you  just 
received  ?  "  he  asked,  half  jokingly,  after  a 
short  pause. 

"I  —  a  visitor  ?  "  answered  Frau  Leimann 
in  some  confusion.  "  I  have  received  no- 
body." Her  eyes  continually  wandered 
round  the  room. 

197 


Life  in  a  Gar?isofi  Town 


"  You  have  received  nobody  ?  Oh,  you 
little  story-teller  !  " 

"  Whatever  are  you  thinking  about, 
George?     Who  should  visit  me?" 

"Oh, I  only  thoughta certain  HerrKrause." 

"  How  do  you  know  that  ?  "  she  asked, 
startled. 

"  I  know  all,  my  child,  even  that  the 
bailiff  has  just  been  with  you." 

Frau  Leimann  looked  down  in  confusion 
and  plucked  at  her  apron. 

"  Well,  if  you  already  know,  there  is  no 
necessity  for  me  to  tell  you.  Yes,  he  came 
to  see  me." 

"  What  did  he  want  ?  " 

"  They  have  summoned  me  for  a  paltry 
four  hundred  marks,"  the  woman  sobbed. 
"  I  am  lost  if  my  husband  hears  of  it !  " 

"  But  he  must  pay  for  what  he  has  bought 
you. 

"  He  doesn't  know  about  It.  I  wanted 
to  have  the  dress,  the  red  silk  one,  you 
know  ?  1  told  him  at  the  time  my  mother 
had  sent  it  or  he  would  not  have  allowed 
me  to  have  It ;  but  I  wanted  to  have  it,  so  I 
had  it  put  down  to  my  account." 

"  That  was    very    silly,  my   dear !      How 
will  you  get  the  money  ?  " 
198 


Life  in  a  Gcwrison  Town 

"  I  don't  know  !     Can't  you   help  me  ?  " 

"  1  will  go  to  the  people  and  ask  them  to 
wait  a  bit." 

"  That  would  be  of  no  use,  George  —  I 
must  have  ready  money  ;  at  least  a  thousand 
marks,  for  1  have  other  things  to  pay  for: 
the  dressmaker,  the  hairdressers,  and  others. 
Get  the  money  for  me,  George;  show  me 
now  that  you  love  me  as  you  have  always 
said," 

"  I  ?  "  laughed  Borgert  cynically.  "  My 
God,   I   don't  know  myself  what  to  do." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  Are  you  also  in 
debt  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  you  would  like  to  look  into 
the  accounts  on  the  writing-table.  Such 
things   I   receive  every  day." 

Frau  Leimann  went  to  the  writing-table, 
opened  the  papers  and  looked  with  wide 
open  eyes  at  the  figures. 

"  In  Heaven's  name,  George  !  What  will 
become  of  me?  You  were  my  only  hope, 
now   I    am   lost." 

She  sank  on  the  sofa,  and,  covering  her 
face  with  her  hands,  sobbed. 

"  Don't  be  so  frightened,  you  timid  little 
hare ;  you  will  not  die   for  a   few  hundred 
marks,"  said  Borgert,  trying  to  comfort  her 
199 


Life  hi  a  Garrisori  Toxmi 


and  tenderly  stroking  her  blonde  hair.  "  I 
will  see  what  I  can  do,  and  in  a  week  you 
shall  have  the  thousand  marks." 

Instead  of  answering  she  flung  her  arms 
round  Borgert's  neck  and  kissed  him 
passionately. 

"I  knew  it,"  she  then  said  —  "I  knew 
you  would  not  leave  me  in  the  lurch,  dear 
one,  good  old  fellow  !  "  —  and  she  drew  the 
Lieutenant  down  on  the  sofa  near  her. 

When  Leimann  returned  after  having 
finished  his  evening  drink  he  found  all  the 
rooms  dark  and  empty. 

To  his  question  as  to  where  his  wife  was 
the  servant  answered : 

"  My  mistress  has  gone  out." 

"  Where  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  sir." 

He  then  lighted  a  lamp  and  went  to  the 
letter-box  to  see  if  anything  had  come  by 
the  evening  post.  He  found  two  letters  — 
bills  —  amounting  together  to  over  six  hun- 
dred marks. 

He  muttered  a  little  to   himself  and  then 

locked  the  two  bothering  objects  in  his  desk. 

But  a  large  yellow  envelope  caught  his  eye. 

He  took  it  for  a  letter  of  instructions  and 

200 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Toicn 


began  to  open  it  mechanically.  But  it  was 
already  opened,  and  his  curiosity  increased 
as  he  drew  out  three  large  sheets  of  paper. 

With  strained  eyes  he  read  through  the 
type-written  letters,  then  he  sat  down  to  the 
table  and  read  the  document  from  beginning 
to  end. 

His  wife  as  well  ?  That  was  indeed  a 
delightful  surprise !  If  that  was  the  case 
with  her  own  cash  then  there  was  nothing  to 
expect  from  his  mother-in-law,  and  he  had 
always  reckoned  upon  her.  He  threw  the 
summons  furiously  in  a  corner  and  went  up 
and  down  the  room  deliberating. 

His  wife  must  have  heard  the  footsteps  of 
her  husband  overhead,  for  she  entered  the 
room,  cheeks  burning. 

"  Excuse  me,  Max,"  said  she  breathlessly. 
"  I  had  something  important  to  do  at  the 
dressmaker's ;  I  have  run  very  fast ;  I  saw 
you  in  front,  but  could  not  catch  you  up." 

"  What  were  you  again  doing  at  the  dress- 
maker's ?  "  he  cried. 

"  Why  should  I  go  there  except  to  have  a 
dress  made  ?  She  is  making  me  a  riding- 
habit." 

"  First  pay  for  your  old  stuff  and  then  have 
new  finery  made  !  "  thundered  her  husband. 

^01 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


"  What  do  you  mean  by  such  a  tone  ? 
And  who  told  you  that  I  don't  pay  my  bills? 
You  think  perhaps  that  others  are  as  thought- 
less as  you  are." 

"  If  you  don't  want  me  to  know  what  the 
bailiff  brings  for  you  why  do  you  stick  it 
under  my  nose  ?  " 

At  first  Frau  Leimann  did  not  grasp  what 
he  meant  by  this,  then  it  flashed  across  her 
mind  that  she  had  left  the  summons  lying  on 
her  husband's  desk. 

"  I  positively  forbid  you  to  poke  your  nose 
into  my  affairs,"  continued  she  indignantly. 
"  Even  if  the  letter  did  lie  open  on  your 
desk,  you  had  no  right  to  read  it.  I  don't 
open  your  bills." 

"  Do  what  you  like,  but  I  forbid  your 
dragging  the  bailiff  into  this  house." 

"There's  no  harm  in  that,  my  dear,  for  it 
will  show  him  the  way  when  he  next  comes 
to  you." 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  you  shameless  bag- 
gage, or  I  will  turn  you  out  of  doors  !  " 

"  Many  thanks  for  your  kind  offer,  but  I 
am  just  going  out  of  my  own  accord." 

She  went  out  and  into  her  bedroom  and 
went  to  bed.  But  she  was  not  at  all  tired, 
and  so  took  a  book  which  was  lying  on  her 
202 


LiJ'c  in  a  Gai^iison  Tuicn 


table  and  began  to  read.  In  the  room  below 
her  lay  Borgert  in  bed,  and  he  was  also 
reading.  But  his  thoughts  were  not  upon 
the  book.  The  fact  that  he  was  hemmed  in 
on  all  sides  gave  him  no  rest.  If  much 
more  happened  the  Colonel  would  order  an 
immediate  payment  of  all  debts,  and  if  that 
were  impossible  would  compel  him  to  send 
in  his  papers.  That  would  be  a  fearful 
thing,  for  what  could  he  do  without  a  penny, 
no  knowledge,  and  many  requirements.  En- 
ergetic steps  must  be  taken  at  once,  and  he 
determined  to  make  use  of  the  next  day,  a 
Sunday,  again  to  do  all  possible  to  raise  a 
large  loan. 

Comforted  in  the  hope  that  some  friendly 
hand  would  do  him  a  good  turn,  he  fell 
asleep,  the  book  falling  from  his  grasp  and 
the  lamp  on  the  table  going  out  of  itself 
after  midnight,  for  Borgert  had  forgotten  to 
extinguish  it. 

When  he  awoke  the  next  morning  it  was 
past  ten  o'clock. 

He  was  furious.  Half  a  day  was  lost,  and 
he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  do  so  much  ! 
Why  had  that  ass  of  a  fellow  not  called  him  ? 
His  head  ached,  and  he  felt  jaded  and  ex- 
hausted. Hurrying  on  a  few  clothes,  he 
203 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


went  to  his  man's  room  and  found  Rose 
writing  a  letter.  He  rose  startled  as  his 
master  entered. 

"  Why  didn't  you  wake  me  up,  you  beast  ? " 
thundered  he  to  the  frightened  fellow. 

"  I  woke  you  at  seven  o'clock,  sir,  but  you 
wanted  to  go  to  sleep,  and  said  I  needn't 
come  again." 

"  You  are  lying,  you  hog,  you  !  I  will 
teach  you  to  do  what  I  tell  you."  Upon 
which  he  seized  the  sheath  of  a  sabre  lying 
on  the  bed  and  struck  the  fellow  violently. 

Rose  stood  to  attention  and  submitted  to 
the  ill-treatment  without  a  wink.  That 
angered  Borgert  the  more,  and  so  he  struck 
him  again  on  his  chest  with  his  fist.  Then 
he  took  the  letter  Rose  had  been  writing, 
crumpled  it,  and  threw  it  into  the  coal- 
scuttle. 

"  Go  to  Lieutenant  Leimann  and  tell  him 
1  beg  him  to  come  to  me  in  half  an  hour." 

"  At  your  service,  sir." 

Borgert  returned  to  his  bed-room,  dressed 
himself,  and  then  went  into  the  next  room. 

But  there  stood   the  coffee,  already  quite 

cold.     So  Rose  had  been  in  the  room  before. 

But  a  little  thrashing  would  do  no  harm.      It 

kept  up  discipline  and  respect  even  if  given 

204 


Life  in  (t  Gariison  7\ntm 

for  once  at  the  wrong  time.  Should  he  ask 
Rose's  pardon  ?     He  would  see  him  further. 

On  the  writing-table  lay  several  letters. 
There  were  three  bills  and  a  letter  from  his 
father. 

He  opened  it  and  read  : 

"My  dear  Son,  —  I  have  learned  with  sorrow 
by  your  last  letter  that  you  have  again  incurred 
large  debts  which  have  placed  you  in  difficulties  be- 
cause they  had  escaped  your  notice.  Willingly  as 
I  would  have  sent  you  the  money  you  ask  for,  I 
cannot  do  so,  because  you  know  how  I  must  con- 
sider every  penny.  If  75  marks  can  help  you 
they  are  at  your  disposal,  although  I  had  promised 
this  money  to  your  mother  for  a  new  dress  which 
she  has  needed  a  long  time.  But  I  must  tell 
you  plainly  that  I  cannot  understand  why  with  two 
hundred  marks  besides  your  pay  you  cannot  make 
both  ends  meet.  At  your  age  I  had  no  more,  and 
yet  saved  enough  to  take  an  enjoyable  holiday 
every  year.  I  advise  you,  with  the  best  intentions 
on  my  part,  to  withdraw  somewhat  from  the  society 
of  your  companions,  that  your  expenditure  may  be 
less,  to  occupy  yourself  industriously  at  home,  and 
avoid  every  occasion  which  requires  you  to  spend 
money  which  you  cannot  afford.  If  you  explain 
frankly  that  this  or  that  is  too  expensive,  every- 
body will  respect  you  more  if  they  see  that  you 
live  according  to  your  means  and  not  recklessly. 
205 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


To    live    respectably   means   to    live   within    your 
income. 

"  Let  me  know  soon  how  you  have  settled  the 
affair,  and  if  I  am  to  send  you  the  sum  I  have 
offered.  Hoping  that  no  unpleasantness  will  arise, 
I  am.  Your  Old  Father." 

When  Borgert  had  read  these  lines  he 
crushed  the  paper  together  and  threw  it  with 
the  other  three  unopened  letters  into  the  fire. 
Then,  with  a  deep  sigh,  he  fell  into  a  chair  and 
looked  thoughtfully  before  him.  Then  his 
man  entered  and  announced  Leimann. 

Borgert  got  up  to  meet  his  friend,  who, 
when  he  had  entered  the  room,  said  ex- 
citedly — 

"  What  have  you  so  important  to  say  so 

early  in  the  morning  ?  " 

Borgert  stood  with  his  legs  apart  and  said, 
with  feigned  hilarity  — 

"  My  dear  fellow,  everybody  has  his 
troubles.  I  am  pretty  well  at  the  last  gasp, 
and  should  like  to  name  you  my  trustee  in 
bankruptcy." 

"  At  your  last  gasp  ?  What  do  you  mean 
by  it?      Is  it  a  matter  of  money  ?  " 

"  You  have  guessed  right.  I  must  have 
money   at  once,   a  whole   sackful,   or   I   am 

done  for." 

206 


Life  hi  a  Garrhuii  Jhicn 


"Are  things  so  bad  all  of  a  sudden?  Is 
there  anything  new  ?  \o\i  told  me  last  time 
that  for  the  present  you  were  all  right." 

"  Of  course  I  said  so,  but  yesterday  I 
counted  up  and  found  that  there  was  no 
other  way  except  to  negotiate  a  large  loan. 
I  should  like  to  speak  to  you  about  it,  for  1 
hope  that  ways  and  means  will  be  found  to 
keep  my  head  above  water." 

Leimann  looked  thoughtfully  down  and 
rubbed  his  unshaven  chin,  then,  shrugging 
his  shoulders,  said  : 

"  How  much  is  it  then  ?  " 

"  Twelve  thousand  marks,  not  a  penny 
less,  for  I  must  have  a  clear  start.  I  am 
sick  of  these  eternal  summonses  and  threat- 
ening letters." 

"  And  how  have  you  thought  of  arranging 
matters  ?  " 

"  I  have  the  addresses  of  some  money- 
lenders. If  you  would  again  back  some  bills 
for  me  I  hope  we  can  manage  things." 

"  Back  bills !  Come,  come,  my  dear 
fellow,  there  must  be  an  end  to  what  one 
can  do.  I  tell  you  plainly,  if  you  cannot 
pay  me  the  three  thousand  marks  from  last 
month,  there  is  an  end  to  my  security." 

"  That  needs  no  explanation  ;  it  is  abso- 
207 


Life  in  a  Gar n son  Towti 


lutely  a  matter  of  necessity  that  I  should 
meet  my  obligations." 

"  I  don't  doubt  it ;  but  indeed  I  cannot 
be  security  for  you  any  more  —  indeed  I 
wanted  to  ask  you  to  do  the  same  service 
for  me ;  I   must  also  have  money." 

"  I  am  quite  willing ;  but  why  don't  you 
raise  money  on  your  wife's  dowry  ?  That  is 
the  surest  way." 

"  First  I  must  possess  it  to  raise  money 
on  it." 

"  But  on  what  did  you  marry  ? "  asked 
Borgert,  astonished. 

"  I  only  had  some  money  for  four  weeks, 
until  I  gained  the  Colonel's  consent,  then 
the  man  who  lent  it  me  insisted  on  being 
paid  back." 

Borgert  looked  at  his  friend  in  amaze- 
ment, then  he  strode  the  room  with  long 
steps. 

"  Well,"  he  began,  after  a  little  pause, 
"  all  right ;  you  go  surety  for  me  and  I  for 
you. 

"  Very  well ;  but  still  it  is  rather  risky,  for 
when  it  comes  to  the  pinch  and  neither  of 
us  has  any  money  it  will  be  a  bad  look-out." 

"  Such  a  case  cannot  happen,  my  dear 
fellow,  for  if  I  can  get  out  of  the  hole  this 
208 


I^iJ'c  in  a  Gariison  Toicii 


time  there  will  be  nothing  more  to  fear.  I 
will  marry." 

"  The  devil  !  You  mean  to  do  that ! 
Then  be  careful  how  you  choose  a  father-in- 
law,  or  it  will  be  a  poor  game  for  you.  I 
could   tell   you  a  tale." 

"  Naturally  I  shan't  marry  on  empty 
promises.  I  shall  do  no  business  under 
half  a  million." 

"You  don't  want  much!  Well,  I  wish 
you  good  luck  ;  but  listen  —  I  have  an  idea. 
What  about  Konig?  Is  he  good  for  a  few 
thousand  marks  ?  " 

"  I  have  already  thought  of  that,  but  it  is 
doubtful  if  he  will  do  it.  First,  we  must  pay 
him  the  old  debt." 

"  But  it  won't  hurt  us  to  try.  He  can 
only  refuse.  I  will  at  once  write  a  few  lines 
to  him." 

Leimann  sat  down  at  his  desk  and  took  a 
sheet  of  paper  out  of  the  drawer.  Borgert  in 
the  meantime  excused  himself  for  a  moment, 
because  he  had  something  to  say  to  his  man. 

He  wanted  to  make  use  of  the  time  while 
Leimann  was  writing  to  wish  the  latter's  wife 
good  morning,  so  he  stole  quietly  up  the 
back  stairs  in  his  soft  slippers.  He  found 
the  door  of  the   dressing-room   open.     He 

H  209 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


went  in  on  tip-toe  and  saw  Frau  Leimann 
standing  before  the  looking-glass.  Her  rich 
blonde  hair  hung  in  golden  strands  over  her 
shoulders,  falling  below  her  hips.  And  as 
she  raised  her  arms,  the  wide  sleeves  of  her 
morning-gown  slipped  back  to  her  elbow, 
revealing  her  lovely  white  arms.  She  made 
a  beautiful  picture,  an  inspiration  for  an 
artist. 

Borgert  stood  still  for  a  few  minutes  gazing 
with  longing  eyes  at  the  beautiful  woman, 
who  did  not  seem  to  suspect  that  a  prying 
stranger  was  watching  her.  Suddenly  he 
threw  open  the  door,  hurried  to  Frau  Lei- 
mann, kissed  her  on  her  neck,  and  stole 
quickly  downstairs  again.  He  strode  noisily 
through  the  corridor,  spoke  a  few  words  to 
his  man,  and  then  went  unconcernedly  into 
his  room. 

As  Leimann  was  still  writing,  he  took  a 
chair,  lit  a  cigarette  and  blew  the  smoke  into 
a  sunbeam  which  was  playing  in  the  room 
till  the  blue  cloudlets  wreathed  in  a  fantastic 
circle. 

Having  finished  his  letter,  Leimann  put 
it  in  an  envelope,  wrote  the  address,  and 
ordered  the  man  to  take  it  to  its  destination 
at  once. 

2IO 


Ijifc  in  a  Garrison  Tozv?r 


"  That  ought  to  draw  him,"  said  Leimann 
with  satisfaction,  as  he  got  up  from  the 
writing-table. 

"  What  have  you  written  him  ?  "  asked 
Borgert  inquiringly, 

"  Merely  that  I  need  money  for  a  comrade, 
and  that  I  appeal  to  the  generosity  of  which 
he  has  so  often  given  proof.  I  have  settled 
to  pay  him  back  in  three  months,  and  have 
given  my  word  for  punctual  payment,  as  you 
said  you  will  be  able  to  get  the  money  by 
then." 

"  Certainly  I  can  if  the  fellow  will  only 
part.     Till  then  we  shall  find  a  way." 

They  chatted  for  about  half-an-hour,  when 
Rose  returned  with  the  answer  from  Captain 
Konig. 

Leimann  hastily  seized  the  letter,  but  then 
hesitated  to  open  it.  He  looked  undecidedly 
at  the  address,  and  gazed  questioningly  across 
at  Borgert,  who  was  still  sitting  comfortably 
in  his  chair. 

We  often  wait  longingly  for  news,  which 
may  be  of  a  pleasant  or  unpleasant  nature ; 
we  can  hardly  brook  the  delay  till  we  have 
the  decision  in  our  hands,  but  then  do  not 
dare  to  learn  the  result  lest  it  should  bring 
us   disappointment.     Uncertainty  is    better, 

211 


Life  in  a  Garrisoji  Town 


for,  besides  the  fear  of  disappointment,  it 
also  includes  a  hope  of  happiness.  Finally 
Leimann  tore  open  the  envelope  and  un- 
folded the  letter. 

He  looked  startled  at  the  writing.  Borgert 
saw  by  his  friend's  face,  who  stood  beside 
him  with  eyebrows  raised  and  nervously 
twitching  hands,  that  Konig's  answer  was 
unfavourable.  But  he  was  calmer,  less  taken 
aback,  than  Leimann,  although  the  affair 
touched  him  more  nearly.  For  a  long  time 
it  had  been  nothing  new  to  him  to  receive 
such  refusals  to  his  attempts  to  secure  loans 
and  the  like.  A  man  gets  accustomed  to 
anything. 

His  face,  however,  assumed  an  angry  ex- 
pression when  he  himself  had  read  the  answer 
which  Leimann  handed  to  him  without  a 
word.     The  letter  read  as  follows  :  — 

"  To  my  great  regret  I  am  not  in  a  position  to 
grant  your  request.  In  the  first  place,  because  I 
cannot,  and  dare  not  on  account  of  my  family,  let 
such  large  sums  out  of  my  hands  unless  absolute 
security  be  offered  me.  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  cannot 
see  such  assurance  for  punctual  repayment  in  your 
word  of  honour,  for  you,  as  well  as  Lieutenant  Bor- 
gert, have  not  been  able  to  repay  me  the  money  I 
lent  you  some  months  ago,  although  you  at  that 
212 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Tuii:n 


time  gave  me  your  word  to  settle  your  debt  within 
ten  days.  In  the  second  place,  it  seems  to  me  that^ 
from  what  I  have  lately  heard  about  your  affairs,  I 
cannot  see  how  you  can  possibly  keep  the  promise 
you  make  to-day." 

Borgert  got  up  and  threw  the  letter  angrily 
on  the  floor,  then  he  went  to  the  window  and 
looked  out  into  the  street. 

Neither  spoke  a  word.  Only  when  their 
glances  met,  Leimann  asked : 

"  What  do  you  say  to  that?  " 

"  Blackguardly  insolence  !  "  blustered  Bor- 
gert. "  What  can  people  be  thinking  of  to 
mix  themselves  in  our  private  affairs  ?  It 
was  unfriendly  enough  to  send  us  a  refusal  — 
but  in  this  offensive  tone  !  We  can't  put  up 
with  this  !  " 

"  What  can  we  do  ?  "  answered  Leimann, 
shrugging  his  shoulders.  "  If  we  take  any 
steps  against  him  he  will  answer  that  we 
gave  him  our  word  then,  and  that  we  cannot 
dispute.  He  has  my  promise  in  black  and 
white.  It  is  therefore  better  that  we  put  up 
with  his  insolence  and  cut  the  fellow.  He 
will  soon  notice  it.  He  seems  to  have  quite 
forgotten  that  it  would  be  easy  for  us  to  ruin 
him.  Did  not  he  himself  say  at  that  time 
that  he  would  lend  us  the  amount  out  of 
213 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


the  squadron's  funds  ?  I  mean  it  would 
not  be  agreeable  to  him  if  this  fact  got 
about." 

"  That  is  true  ;  but  you  can't  mix  yourself 
up  in  this,  because  his  onslaught  on  the  cash- 
box  was  made  in  our  interest." 

"  It  is  all  the  same  to  me.  If  he  thinks 
that  he  can  show  us  such  insolence  I  for  one 
will  pay  him  back  in  the  same  coin." 

"  But  you  cannot  give  it  out  that  Konig 
lent  you  money  after  he  had  taken  it  from 
the  cash-box.  That  would  throw  a  curious 
light  on  your  behaviour." 

"  I  shouldn't  commence  so  awkwardly. 
One  can  set  about  the  matter  in  a  round- 
about way,  and  I  will  so  arrange  it  that  no 
one  shall  know  who  began  the  report.  But 
I  will  pay  the  brute  out." 

Both  were  again  silent,  and  a  few  minutes 
later  Leimann  said  good-bye  because  he  had 
an  errand  in  town  before  dinner.  Borgert 
also  did  not  remain  longer  in  his  rooms.  He 
went  to  the  casino  and,, forgot  his  ill-temper 
in  a  bottle  of  champagne. 

As  Borgert  awoke  a  few  mornings  later 
he  noticed  to  his  great  consternation  that 
he  had  overslept  himself,  thus  again  missing 


Life  in  (I  Garrison  Town 


parade.  He  rang  violently  for  his  man,  but 
even  after  a  second  pull  at  the  bell  Rose 
did   not  appear. 

Borgert  dressed  himself  and  went  into 
Rose's  room.  He  found  it  empty.  The 
bed  was  untouched,  and  on  it  lay  the  fellow's 
uniform  and  cap. 

Astonished,  he  looked  round  the  little 
room,  which  was  filled  with  a  foetid  atmos- 
phere, a  smell  of  dirty  linen  and  worn-out 
clothing.  Where  could  Rose  have  gone 
without  saying  a  word  ?  Was  he  on  duty  ? 
No,  that  could  not  be,  for  there  was  his 
uniform. 

Borgert  was  already  standing  on  the 
threshold  and  about  to  leave  the  room, 
when  he  caught  sight  of  a  piece  of  paper 
lying  on   the  dirty   table. 

He  took  it  up,  and  his  face  grew  pale  as 
he  read  it,  for  it  contained  in  clumsy  writing 
the  following  words  :  "  I  beg  to  take  my 
leave  of  you."  Borgert  stared  at  the  paper 
as  if  turned  to  stone.  The  fellow  had 
deserted. 

Borgert  could   not  deceive   himself  for  a 

moment  as  to   the  reason   for  this,  and    he 

suddenly    felt    uneasy,  as    the    idea    flashed 

through  his  mind  that  perhaps  Rose  would 

215 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Totvn 


be  caught.  Then  everything  would  come 
out  —  his  bad  treatment,  his  blows,  and  all 
else  that  Rose  had  either  himself  seen  or 
learnt  about  his  master. 

As  if  stunned,  he  went  into  his  room  and 
sat  on  the  side  of  the  bed. 

He  thought  he  was  dreaming.  All  sorts 
of  ideas  ran  wildly  through  his  head,  and  his 
pale  lips  twitched  nervously. 

Were  all  in  conspiracy  against  him  ? 
Trouble,  adversity,  disappointment  on  all 
sides.  No  ray  of  light  in  the  future,  which 
rose  black  and  threatening  before  him. 

For  the  first  time  the  thought  came  on 
him  with  terrible  certainty  that  a  catastrophe 
was  imminent,  and  that,  unless  a  miracle 
should  happen,  nothing  could  save  him. 
But  how  could  a  miracle  happen.  All  faith 
and  hope  faded  into  thin  air  in  the  few 
moments  as  he  recognised  the  crushing 
burden  of  his  debts  and  sins.  A  fear,  a 
horror  of  himself,  and  a  feeling  of  helpless- 
ness overcame  the  man  whom  otherwise 
nothing  could  move — the  man  who,  with  cold 
calculation,  and  remorselessly,  was  accus- 
tomed to  struggle  against  all  difficulties  and 
awkward  situations  in  life.  Incapable  of  deep 
emotion  or  noble  feeling,  till  now  he  had 
216 


Life  in  a  Garri.soiL  Toicn 


gone  the  way  of  egotism,  with  a  brutality 
which  his  superficial  view  of  life  had  given 
him. 

For  a  long  time  he  sat  there,  pale  and 
still,  his  eyes  fixed  on  vacancy  ;  only  the 
nervous  twitching  of  his  face  betrayed  that 
there  was  yet  life  in  the  motionless  figure. 
The  inward  struggle  and  contention  of  a 
man  who  only  learns  too  late  how  he  has 
violently  ruined  and  trodden  under  foot 
his  own  life,  who  hopes  for  an  unmerited 
intervention  of  fate,  and  in  whom  the 
frightened  soul  struggles  on,  hoping  against 
hope,  as  a  drowning  man  struggles  with  the 
waves  till  his  last  breath,  even  when  he  sees 
no  helping  hand  from  far  or  near,  racked 
his  soul. 

Borgert  now  saw  himself  clearly ;  he  had 
summed  up  his  position  and  recognised  his 
life  had  been  spoiled  by  his  own  doing.  He 
determined  to  bear  the  consequences  now 
that  he  could  no  longer  escape  them. 

Mechanically  he  dressed  himself  and  went 
to  the  barracks  to  tell  the  Captain  he  had 
missed  parade. 

For  the  present  he  intended  saying  nothing 
of  Rose's  flight,  for  if  the  deserter  were  at 
once  pursued  it  was  almost  certain  that  in  a 
217 


Life  in  a  Ga7^7i,son  T'own 


few  days  he  would  be  arrested.  If,  however, 
he  had  forty-eight  hours'  start  he  would 
have  sufficient  time  to  reach  a  secure 
hiding-place,  and  then  Borgert  would  be 
spared  the  ordeal  of  being  called  before  a 
court-martial  and  sentenced  for  ill-treating 
a  subordinate. 

As  he  again  entered  his  home  about  mid- 
day, he  found  a  letter  awaiting  him.  It  was 
the  answer  from  the  money-lender  in  Berlin, 
telling  him  in  a  few  words  that  a  loan  could 
not  be  granted  because  inquiries  about  Bor- 
gert and  his  surety,  Leimann,  had  revealed 
the  fact  that  they  were  both  in  an  extremely 
impecunious  position. 

Borgert  bore  the  news  nonchalantly,  for 
since  the  morning  he  had  given  up  every 
hope  of  a  favourable  issue,  and  so  had 
expected  nothing  different. 

Looking  at  the  matter  dispassionately,  it 
was  obvious  that  no  man  would  lend  money 
on  the  security  of  an  honest  face  and  fine 
words,  so  it  would  be  no  good  to  take 
any  more  trouble  in  the  matter.  If  in 
spite  of  this  there  had  been  people  who 
had  placed  money  at  his  disposal,  it  was 
only  on  Leimann's  surety,  who  understood 
how  to  place  his  affairs  in  such  a  favourable 
218 


IJfc  in  a  Garriso}i  Toivu 

light  that  he  was  simply  believed  without  any- 
special  inquiries  being  made  about  him. 

Worn  out  and  distracted,  he  threw  himself 
down  on  the  sofa. 

He  did  not  want  to  go  to  the  mess,  for 
he  had  no  appetite,  and  did  not  feel  in  a 
mood  to  chatter  and  joke  with  his  comrades. 
He  did  not  wish  to  see  any  one,  he  only 
wanted  to  be  alone  —  quite  alone. 

He  gazed  round  the  magnificent  room, 
and  as  he  saw  the  beautiful  pictures  on  the 
walls,  the  costly  oak  furniture  and  valuable 
carpets,  it  pained  him  that  all  this  splendour 
and  beauty  would  become  prey  to  his 
creditors.  When  the  crisis  came  they  would 
all  fight  and  struggle  to  get  possession.  But 
that  did  not  help  him.  In  a  few  days  the 
crash  would  come.  There  was  no  possibility 
of  salvation. 

Still,  what  would  then  become  of  him  ? 
He  had  not  yet  begun  to  think  about  it. 
Was  he  to  see  himself  stripped  of  everything 
and  an  outcast  on  the  streets  ?  Waiting  in 
this  way  he  would  be  put  in  prison.  Time 
was  short ;  he  had  to  come  to  a  decision 
quickly,  he  must  do  so  at  once.  He  could 
not  see  what  he  still  had  to  hope  for  in  this 
miserable  and  unhappy  life.  For  to  leave, 
219 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


scorned  and  despised  by  all,  to  learn  a  new 
profession  and  be  obliged  to  work,  was  not 
to  his  taste.  Luxurious  and  exacting  as  he 
was,  to  force  himself  to  lead  a  simple  life, 
perhaps  hold  a  modest  or  inferior  position, 
would  be  next  door  to  impossible  for 
him.  For  that  required  energy,  self-denial, 
and  love  of  work,  all  of  which  he  lacked. 
Should  he  simply  blow  his  brains  out  ? 

No  —  that  was  bad  form  and  required 
courage,  which  he  had  only  possessed  when 
there  was  nothing  to  risk. 

And  finally,  who  could  know  if  he  would 
not  some  time  meet  with  good  luck  ?  Then 
suicide   would   be  a  premature   folly.      Life 

could  be  so  beautiful,  and  to  cut  it  short 

No  —  a  thousand  times,  no  ! 

For  a  long  time  he  ransacked  his  mind, 
but  could  find  no  practical  solution  for  his 
difficulties.  He  thought  of  his  servant. 
How  slyly  had  he  set  to  work  to  free 
himself  from  a  position  which  did  not  suit 
him !  Perhaps  he  was  now  settled  down, 
at  ease  and  undisturbed,  in  a  quiet  corner 
where  nobody  would  think  of  asking  ques- 
tions about  him,  where  he  could  live  and 
be  merry. 

If  he  himself  could  only  do  that? 
220 


IjiJ'e  in  a  Garrison  7\nvn 


The  more  the  thought  of  secret  flight 
took  form  in  Borgert's  mind,  the  more 
feasible  the  plan  seemed  to  him.  Among 
fresh  people  in  another  land  he  could  begin 
life  again.  How  long  would  it  be  before 
he  was  forgotten  !  Perhaps  in  a  year  his 
name  would  no  longer  be  mentioned,  or, 
at  any  rate,  only  as  that  of  a  dead  man. 
As  for  the  rest,  nobody  would  trouble  about 
him. 

He  was  so  sunk,  in  his  thoughts  that  he 
did  not  notice  when  the  door  opened  and 
Frau  Leimann  entered. 

She  looked  pale  and  anxious,  her  usually 
young  and  beautiful  face  had  aged,  and  her 
eyes  had  a  frightened  expression. 

Borgert  did  not  rise,  but  without  a  word 
he  simply  nodded.  At  the  same  time  his 
glance  fell  on  the  woman's  figure. 

To-day  she  did  not  seem  worth  having, 
she  looked  quite  unlike  herself.  Her  move- 
ments seemed  limp  and  without  grace,  the 
charms  which  had  so  often  intoxicated  him 
he  saw  no  longer.  Her  hair  was  tangled 
and  hurriedly  arranged ;  the  folds  of  her 
disorderly  morning-gown,  carelessly  flung 
on,  did  not  suggest  the  full  form,  the  round- 
ness of  limbs  and    the    health  of  a  young 

221 


Life  i)i  a  Qarriiioii  Town 


woman.  But  she  appeared  to  him  old  and 
worn. 

Was  it  merely  passion  that  had  made  this 
woman  appear  so  beautiful,  so  desirable 
to  him  ?  And  to-day  was  it  mental  and 
nervous  exhaustion  which  had  killed  that 
desire  so  that  she  no  longer  had  charms  for 
him  ^.  He  did  not  realise  that  he  was  influ- 
enced by  two  contrary  impressions  —  the 
woman  as  she  now  stood  before  him  and  the 
glorious  creature  whose  flowing  hair  and 
naked  arms  and  shoulders  he  had  seen  and 
kissed  a  few  days  before. 

She  sat  down  on  the  sofa  close  to  him  and 
took  his  hand  in  hers.  Her  eyes  looked 
anxiously  into  the  face  of  the  man  who  lay 
so  apathetic  and  indifferent  before  her. 

"  Are  you  ill,  George  ?  "  she  asked  him, 
troubled. 

He  shook  his  head  without  a  word. 

"  But  do  tell  me  what  is  the  matter  with 
you  —  tell  me  !  " 

"  Nothing  and  everything." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  George  ?  Do  speak 
sensibly." 

"What  shall  I  speak  about,  my  dear? 
I've  done  with  it  all.  There  is  nothing  else 
the  matter ! " 

222 


Life  in  aCT(i?Ti.s(jfi  To-iCii 


'*  Done  with  what  ?  What  do  you  mean 
me  to  understand  by  that  ?  " 

"With  everything  —  with  life  and  with 
myself!  " 

"You  are  speaking  in  riddles,  George. 
Tell  me  openly  and  plainly  what  has  hap- 
pened." 

"  I'm  dead  broke.  I  must  get  away  or 
there  will  be  trouble." 

Borgert  felt  her  whole  body  quiver.  She 
answered  nothing,  but,  turning  her  face  slowly 
away,  looked  through  the  window. 

In  his  heart  Borgert  was  thankful  that 
she  took  the  news  so  quietly  instead  of,  after 
the  manner  of  women,  screaming  and  falling 
into  hysterics.  And  as  he  watched  her  pale 
profile  against  the  window  and  saw  the  tears 
standing  in  her  eyes,  he  was  overcome  with 
pity  for  her  and  drew  her  into  his  arms. 

And  as  he  held  her  in  a  silent  embrace 
she  whispered  to  him  : 

"  Take  me  with  you,  George." 

Startled,  Borgert  replied  : 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  what  puts  such 
thoughts  in  your  head  ?     How  dare  I  do  it  ?  " 

"  Dear  George,  take  me  with  you.  I  can't 
stand  it  any  longer  here." 

"  But  that  is  out  of  the  question,  my 
223 


Life  in  a  Gaiiison  Town 


darling.  There  will  be  scandal  enough  if  I 
disappear  alone.  And  if  I  should  take  you 
with  me  ?     Impossible  !  " 

"  Then  I  will  go  alone.  I  must  go  away 
—  I  must." 

"  Why  so  suddenly  ?  What  has  hap- 
pened? " 

Frau  Leimann  broke  into  passionate  sob- 
bing. 

"  My  husband  has  struck  me  because  the 
bailiff  came  again.  I  can't  stand  such  treat- 
ment any  longer — for  —  I  have  no  money 
to  pay  my  debts,  and  something  dreadful 
will  happen." 

Borgert  had  some  trouble  to  quiet  the 
excited  woman. 

He  thought  the  matter  over.  The  idea 
was  not  a  bad  one.  If  she  wanted  to  go 
away  she  might  just  as  well  go  with  him, 
then  he  would  have  at  least  somebody  with 
him  to  whom  he  could  sometimes  speak, 
and,  still  further,  one  who  was  in  the  same 
boat  as  himself. 

And  as  Frau  Leimann  looked  at  him 
entreatingly,  he  took  her  again  in  his  arms 
and  whispered : 

"  Yes,  come  with  me.  We  will  go  to- 
morrow evening." 

224 


Ijije  ill  a  Garrison  Toivn 


Long  he  held  her  in  his  arms,  then  he 
tore  himself  from  her  caresses  and  led  her  to 
a  chair. 

He  sat  down  opposite  her  and  said : 

"  Now  we  must  speak  sensibly  about  our 
plans.  First,  how  shall  you  get  away  with- 
out your  husband's  knowledge?  " 

"  Max  is  going  to  Berlin  to-morrow.  He 
is  obliged  to  go  there  on  duty.  Hasn't  he 
told  you  ?  " 

"  No.  But  that  settles  the  matter  splen- 
didly. Now,  further,  have  you  money  for 
the  journey  }  " 

"  Yes ;  my  mother  has  sent  three  hun- 
dred marks,  and  I  haven't  spent  any,  because 
I  had  quite  made  up  my  mind  to  go  away." 

"  Well,  you  are  better  off  than  I  am.  I 
have  only  one  mark.  But  I'll  manage  some- 
how or  other.  Thirdly,  how  will  you  get 
your  luggage  to  the  station  without  anyone 
seeing  it  ?  You  can't  go  away  with  only  the 
dress  you  have  on." 

"  Quite  easily,  George.  Ask  my  husband 
to-day  to  lend  you  his  big  trunk,  and  tell 
him  you  are  obliged  to  go  home  ;  then  I  will 
pack  everything  in  it,  and  the  man  will  carry 
it  downstairs  to  you.  It  is  big  enough  for 
us   both." 

^5  225 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


"  I  always  said  so,"  replied  Borgert, 
laughing.      "  There  is  an  old  proverb  — 

A  woman's  tongue,  in  plottings  gieat. 
The  wiliest  tricks  to  you  will  prate.' 

Your  stratagem  is  first-rate,  and  I  accept  it." 
"  And  by  what  train  shall  we  travel  ?  " 
"  You  go  in  the  afternoon,  so  that  we 
don't  leave  together,  which  would  naturally 
be  remarked,  I'll  follow  by  the  evening 
train.  It  will  be  best  to  meet  in  the  waiting- 
room  at  Frankfort,  then  we  can  talk  over 
what  we  are  going  to  do  in  the  future  quietly. 
Of  course  I  shall  take  three  days'  leave  of 
absence,  so  that  I  shall  not  be  followed  at 
once." 

"  So  far  we  agree.  I  will  come  down  in 
the  morning  as  soon  as  my  husband  has 
gone  away,  and  then  we  can  discuss  the 
matter  again.      Now  I   must  go  upstairs." 

Still  one  more  loving  kiss  and  Frau  Lei- 
mann  turned  towards  the  door.  As  she 
nodded  to  Borgert  from  across  the  thresh- 
old she  pleased  him  again. 

With  her  flaming  cheeks,  rough  hair  and 

bright  eyes,  she  was  charming  !     A  kind  of 

delight  came  over  him  at  the  thought  that 

this  lovely  woman  would  belong  to  him,  that 

226 


IJJ'c  in  (I  Gani.son  Town 


she  would  always  be  with  him,  and  it  would 
help  him  to  bear  all  the  disagreeables  that 
were  in  store  for  him. 

All  at  once  Borgert  had  regained  his 
good  humour,  and  quite  recovered  his  spirits. 
For  now  his  flight  would  have  quite  another 
construction  —  people  would  say  they  had 
fled    as    lovers.      There    would    be    enouuh 

o 

scandal  and  gossip,  but  the  whole  afl-air 
sei  med  to  him  more  dignified,  interesting 
an  1  excusable,  than  if  it  were  said  he  had 
bolted  because  he  could  not  face  his  debts 
and  to  save  himself  from  the  consequences 
of  underhand  dealings. 

For  a  moment  a  voice  of  conscience 
mingled  with  his  joy,  warning  him  not  to 
commit  a  fresh  crime.  But  the  voice  was 
so  weak  and  feeble  that  Borgert  scarcely 
heard  it.  The  principal  thing  was  that  it 
ofi^ered  him  something  agreeable,  an  advan- 
tage which  he  should  not  let  slip  simply  in 
consideration  for  others;  they  only  came  in 
after  himself. 

The  more  strongly  egoism  rules  in  man  the 
more  easily  he  overcomes  all  emotions,  all 
sentimental  thoughts  which  warn  him  against 
sin.  If  we  hope  to  gain  an  advantage  from 
such  sin,  then  do  we  wander  from  the  right 
227 


Life  ill  a  Garrison  Tonm 


path.  For  that  reason  the  greatest  crimi- 
nals are  also  the  greatest  egoists.  So  Borgert 
turned  cheerfully  towards  the  town,  went 
to  the  post-office,  where  he  sent  a  telegram 
to  a  second-hand  furniture  dealer  in  the 
neighbouring  town  requesting  him  to  call 
the  next  morning. 

Then  he  returned  home  and  went  up- 
stairs to  Leimann's.  He  found  his  friend 
packing  his  box. 

"  So  to-morrow  you  are  going  away  ?  I 
only  heard  it  at  midday ! "  said  Borgert, 
holding  out  his  hand. 

"  I  am  not  so  very  pleased  about  it,  for  I 
am  in  no  way  prepared  for  such  a  journey. 
But  that  is  always  the  way.  One  only  re- 
ceives orders  at  the  last  moment,  so  that 
one  has  just  time  to  catch  the  train." 

"In  spite  of  that,  I  envy  you  the  pleasant 
journey.  I  have  a  less  agreeable  one  before 
me." 

"Are  you  also  going  away  ?  " 

"  I  don't  want  to,  but  I  must !  " 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  " 

"  Home.  1  am  going  away  to-morrow 
afternoon." 

"  Ah,  I  understand  !  A  pleasant  journey 
and  good  luck  !  " 

228 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toii:n 


"  Thank  you  !  Oh,  by  the  way,  can  you 
lend  me  a  trunk  ?  I  should  like  to  take 
some  things  home  with  me,  and  mine  is  too 
small  to  hold  them." 

"  Of  course.  My  man  shall  carry  my 
big  box  downstairs  ;  will  that  do  ?  " 

"Certainly  —  quite  large  enough;  many 
thanks !  " 

Borgert  noticed  that  his  visit  was  not  very 
welcome.  Leimann  was  in  a  bad  temper, 
and  would  not  let  himself  be  disturbed  in  his 
occupation  in  the  least.  He  was  so  wrapped 
up  in  thought  that  he  scarcely  heard  Bor- 
gert's  questions,  who  thought  well  to  say 
good-bye,  promising  to  come  up  again  to 
supper. 

"  But  when  can  I  have  the  box  ? "  he 
asked  as  he  was  leaving. 

"  As  soon  as  my  man  returns  from  the 
town  ;  so  good-bye  !  " 

Borgert,  when  he  reached  his  room,  sank 
down  on  an  arm-chair.  He  felt  so  well  and 
free  that  he  could  have  shouted  for  joy, 
for  in  a  day  he  would  be  rid  of  the  whole 
lot,  and  there  would  be  no  need  for  him 
to  worry.  And,  moreover,  to  have  such  a 
pleasant  companion !  He  wondered  that 
the  idea  had  not  entered  his  head  before. 
229 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Then  it  flashed  across  him  that  he  had  not 
yet  begun  to  think  of  packing  ;  he  would  at 
least  put  everything  in  order  that  nothing 
might  be  forgotten. 

As  he  looked  round  the  beautiful  room  he 
considered  what  he  should  take  away  with 
him.  Then,  getting  up,  he  took  down  a 
silver  cup  from  the  wall,  the  farewell  present 
from  his  former  regiment,  and  put  it  on  the 
table  in  the  next  room. 

An  album,  several  photographs,  a  packet 
of  letters,  two  riding-whips  and  two  small 
oil-paintings,  the  work  of  his  dead  sister  — 
that  was  all  he  thought  of  taking  with  him. 
All  the  rest  could  remain  to  solace  his 
creditors. 

At  seven  o'clock  he  again  went  to  the 
Leimanns',  and  found  them  already  at  table. 
Leimann's  face  grew  gloomy  as  Borgert 
came  in,  and  he  hardly  looked  up  from  his 
plate. 

His  wife  sat  with  flaming  cheeks  opposite 
him.  She  did  not  touch  her  food,  but  looked 
anxiously  across  to  her  husband. 

The  whole  evening  the  cloud  hung  over 

them    all,  and    not  even   a  bottle  of  Eckel 

could   rouse  their  usual   hilarity.      Leimann 

was  in  a  bad  humour,  and  nothing  could  be 

230 


Ij'ife  in  a  Garrison  Town 


done  with  him.  For  that  reason  they  sepa- 
rated sooner  than  usual,  and  their  parting 
was  cooler  than  was  customary.  But  still 
Frau  Leimann  had  the  opportunity  of  giving 
her  lover  a  hasty  kiss  in  the  corridor  as 
her  husband  went  into  the  room  to  fetch  a 
match. 

The  next  morning  Borgert  had  scarcely 
dressed  when  the  furniture  dealer  came. 
The  Lieutenant  greeted  him  pleasantly  and 
begged  him  to  enter,  then  he  completed  his 
toilet  and  began  to  bargain  with  the  Jew. 

"Will  you  just  look  at  my  furniture?" 
said  he.  "  I  am  thinking  of  selling  every- 
thing just  as  it  is,  for  I  have  been  trans- 
ferred, but  kindly  be  discreet  about  the 
matter  for  the  present.  How  much  would 
you  give  for  it  ?  " 

The  Jew  looked  thoughtfully  round  the 
room.  He  felt  and  tested  each  piece, 
examined  the  coverlets  and  carpets,  and 
summed  up  the  costly  carving  of  the  book- 
case. Then  he  took  a  notebook  out  of  his 
pocket,  squinted  at  each  single  thing,  and 
then  noted  down  the  price.  Finally  he 
turned  to  Borgert,  and,  with  a  questioning 
look,  said : 

231 


Life  in  a  GaiTison  Town 


"  Fifteen  hundred  marks,  sir  —  money- 
down." 

"What!  —  fifteen  hundred  marks?"  ex- 
claimed Borgertj  very  disappointed.  "  I  paid 
almost  ten  thousand  marks  for  the  things  !  " 

"  I  am  sorry,  sir,"  said  the  Jew,  shrugging 
his  shoulders  ;  "  old  things  are  not  new  ones  ; 
nobody  would  pay  more." 

"That  is  too  little  —  it  is  almost  giving  it 
away." 

"  Very  well,  I  will  give  you  two  thousand 
marks,  but  not  a  penny  more." 

Borgert  sat  down  in  his  writing-chair. 
He  was  considering,  and,  while  doing  so, 
the  Jew  peered  at  him  expectantly. 

"  All  right,  give  me  the  money,"  said 
Borgert,  after  thinking  the  matter  over; 
"  you  can  have  the  stuff." 

Though  it  seemed  to  him  that  two  thou- 
sand marks  was  a  beggarly  sum  for  such  costly 
furniture,  yet  it  was  better  than  nothing,  so 
he  quickly  determined  to  take  the  paltry 
price  rather  than  be  obliged  to  give  up  his 
idea  of  flight  for  want  of  money. 

The  Jew,  with  a  smirk  of  satisfaction, 
drew  a  paper  out  of  his  pocket-book  and, 
writing  down  a  few  words,  gave  it  Borgert 
to  sign. 

232 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Tuwjl 

When  the  Jew  had  gone  away  and  Borgert 
held  the  two  thousand  mark  notes  in  his 
hand,  it  seemed  to  him  that  the  last  hin- 
drance to  his  flight  was  overcome,  for  ready 
money  was  the  chief  thing.  He  folded  the 
notes  together,  and  putting  them  in  his  purse 
went  into  his  bedroom  and  took  a  travel- 
ling suit  out  of  his  wardrobe.  The  rest  of 
his  mufti  he  packed  in  the  box  with  Frau 
Leimann's  dresses,  then  on  the  top  of  these 
the  few  things  he  intended  taking  with  him, 
and  had  the  box  taken  at  once  to  the  railway- 
station. 

The  Colonel  showed  Httle  desire  to  grant 
Borgert  leave  of  absence,  and  only  after  he 
had  again  represented  to  him  the  urgency  of 
the  journey  did  the  former  allow  himself  to 
be  persuaded  and  give  the  three  days'  leave. 
Finally  he  hoped  that  the  Lieutenant  would 
be  able  to  arrange  matters  with  his  father 
and  so  get  the  disagreeable  money  affairs 
settled.  That  would  be  very  pleasant  for 
him  —  and  so  he  let  him  go. 

In  the  meantime  Leimann  was  well  on  his 
journey.  The  two  friends  had  not  even  said 
good-bye.  His  wife  was  still  very  busy. 
There  was  much  to  do  ;  here  a  packet  of 
letters  to  burn  which  neither  her  husband 
^33 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Towri 

nor  George  could  be  allowed  to  read,  there  a 
few  little  souvenirs  to  pack,  mostly  worth- 
less, useless  things  whose  value  lay  in  their 
remembrances. 

The  heart  of  a  woman  clings  to  such 
things  as  bring  back  to  her  mind  happy 
moments,  and  she  would  sooner  give  away 
the  most  beautiful  ring  she  had  bought  than 
the  dried  flower  or  the  little  amulet  from  the 
hand  of  a  man  who  had  once  played  an 
important  part  in  her  life. 

Two  days  ago  she  had  thought  the  secret 
good-bye  to  Bubi,  her  little  two-year-old  son, 
would  cause  her  sorrow,  and  now  she  felt  a 
prick  of  conscience  because  she  could  take 
leave  of  him  with  a  light  heart,  without 
shedding  a  tear,  and  so  leave  her  only  child 
motherless,  to  face  an  uncertain,  perhaps 
unhappy,  future. 

It  was  inexplicable,  but  from  the  first  mo- 
ment she  had  felt  something  like  aversion 
for  the  child  with  its  broad  nose,  big  mouth, 
and  little  piercing  eyes.  After  a  few  weeks 
it  bore  a  decided  likeness  to  its  father,  and 
the  more  the  estrangement  grew  between 
her  husband  and  herself,  the  more  the 
mother's  love  in  her  seemed  to  shrink.  She 
looked  upon  the  ugly  little  creature  that  was 
234 


Life  in  a  Garriso/i  Town 


always  screaming,  as  his  child  only,  and  upon 
herself  as  the  natural  means  of  bringing  it 
into  the  world  ;  and  so  it  happened  that  the 
poor  little  baby  was  almost  always  in  the 
kitchen,  and  passed  its  life,  fed,  reared  and 
brought  up  by  the  servants.  The  mother 
hardly  saw  her  child  one  hour  in  the  day. 
There  are  women  who,  vain  and  conscious 
only  of  their  own  beauty,  look  upon  it  as 
an  insult  of  nature  and  a  punishment  from 
Heaven  when  they  bear  ugly  children ; 
children  for  whom  they  feel  an  inward 
distaste,  and  avoid  as  they  would  try  to 
forget  an  outrage  committed  against  their 
womanly   pride. 

She  felt  justified  in  leaving  her  husband, 
for  he  deserved  no  better  treatment,  and  so 
she  was  hardly  conscious  of  guilt  when  at 
three  o'clock  she  got  into  a  first-class  car- 
riage on  the  Frankfort  express.  "What  man 
does  not  try  to  justify  his  sins  and  errors  to 
himself?  Superficial,  self-seeking  men  even 
have  reached  the  point  of  seeing  in  the 
greatest  crimes  committed  by  themselves 
merely  a  trifling  fault  which  their  fellow- 
men  judge  too  harshly  because  they  have 
not  understood  their  motives. 

Borgert  was  such  a  man  ;  for  the  egoist. 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Tonm 


the  end  justifies  the  means.  In  good  spirits 
and  quite  satisfied,  he  parted  from  the  gar- 
rison, his  friends  and  his  duties,  with  a 
scornful  smile  at  those  who,  owing  to  nar- 
rowness of  mind,  cling  to  customs  and 
traditions,  and  have  not  the  pluck  to  tread 
under  foot  the  interests  of  others  should  it 
be  to  their  own  advantage. 

As,  late  in  the  evening,  the  two  sat  to- 
gether in  the  dining-room  of  an  expensive 
hotel,  it  seemed  to  them  that  their  future 
would  be  a  dream  of  sunshine  without 
shadows,  and  so  they  celebrated  the  first 
day  of  their  new  free  life  in  a  bottle  of 
champagne. 


236 


Chapter   VI 

THE  flight  of  Lieutenant  Borgert 
did  not  long  remain  a  secret. 
When  after  the  expiration  of  his 
three  days'  leave  he  did  not  return,  a  tele- 
gram sent  to  his  father  elicited  the  fact 
that  he  had  not  been  home.  The  suppo- 
sition was  obvious  that  he  had  deserted 
in  order  to  escape  the  consequences  of  his 
fast  life. 

It  is  true  that,  with  the  exception  of 
Leimann,  nobody  really  knew  in  what  a 
terrible  state  his  affairs  were.  Only  when 
the  Jew  came  to  take  away  the  things  he  had 
bought,  and  the  sheriff's  officers  armed  with 
a  new  writ  for  a  large  sum  put  in  a  prior 
claim,  did  the  catastrophe  take  place  which 
exposed  at  one  stroke  the  system  on  which 
Borgert  had  worked. 

All  Borgert's  property  was  seized   in  the 
name  of  the  law,  and  a  day  fixed  on  which 
to  consider  how   the  claims   '>f  the  various 
creditors  should  be  dealt  with. 
237 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Although  the  valuable  furniture  repre- 
sented a  fairly  large  asset,  it  was  only  a 
drop  in  the  ocean,  for  when  by  order  of 
Court  a  notice  was  inserted  in  the  papers 
asking  all  those  who  could  prove  their  claims 
to  send  them  in,  a  mountain  of  bills  poured 
in,  the  sum  total  being  over  20,000  marks. 

At  the  same  time  the  Court  impounded 
the  whole  of  Borgert's  possible  private 
fortune,  and  a  warrant  was  issued  for  the 
arrest  of  the  guilty  man  on  a  charge  of 
fraud. 

The  Court  had  his  apartments  sealed,  and 
even  his  poor  horse  bore  a  small  seal  on  his 
mane,  which  was  artistically  plaited  with 
thread. 

The  particulars  of  the  latest  event  spread 
through  the  little  town  and  the  neighbour- 
hood like  wildfire,  and  there  were  also  short 
notices  in  the  newspapers. 

The  Colonel  was  quite  dejected.  The 
knowing  gentlemen  of  the  regirient  of 
course  had  seen  the  crash  coming  for  a  long 
time,  as,  whatever  happens,  there  are  always 
people  who  foresee  the  inevitable,  but  only 
when  it  has  happened  do  they  with  a  supe- 
rior smile  maintain  they  had  expected  noth- 
ing else  for  years. 

238 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


But  the  Colonel  in  great  grief  expressed 
his  opinion  to  Captain  Konig  that  "  this  was 
the  last  straw  that  would  break  the  camel's 
back,"  and  from  that  time  he  performed  his 
duties  with  a  very  distressed  air.  For  by- 
degrees  he  saw  clearly  that  an  efficient  man- 
agement of  his  officers  should  be  carried  out 
in  another  manner,  and  that  his  policy  had 
been  a  mistaken  one. 

Only  after  some  days  was  it  known  that 
Frau  Leimann  had  followed  Borgert,  when 
her  husband  on  his  return  from  Berlin 
received  a  letter  from  her  begging  for  for- 
giveness and  protesting  she  could  not  have 
acted  otherwise. 

So  Leimann  was  doubly  punished  — 
first  of  all  ridiculed  and  scoffed  at  before 
the  whole  world  for  having  a  runaway  wife, 
and  then  obliged  to  sell  the  greater  part  of 
his  property  as  quickly  as  possible  in  order 
to  answer  the  demands  of  those  for  whom 
he  had  been  Borgert's  surety.  Nothing  but 
the  bare  necessaries  of  life  remained. 

At  first  it  was  believed  that  Frau  Lei- 
mann's  letter  would  put  them  on  the  track 
of  the  fugitives  ;  later  not  even  the  numer- 
ous descriptions  of  the  detectives  or  police 
agents    were    successful    in     tracing     them. 

'^39 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Whether  they  were  in  Germany  or  in  a 
foreign  country,  nobody  knew. 

About  two  weeks  after  the  flight  Rose 
was  caught.  He  had  been  found  on  the 
Belgian  frontier  owing  to  the  description  in 
the  warrant. 

The  trial  resulted  in  the  eliciting  of  the 
fact  that  Borgert  had  repeatedly  ill-treated 
him,  and  this  had  driven  him  to  desert. 
But  this  only  slightly  mitigated  his  punish- 
ment, and  everybody  was  sorry  for  the  poor 
soldier  whose  misfortune  had  been  caused 
by  the  iniquities  and  bad  treatment  of  his 
superior. 

In  the  divorce  suit  which  Leimann  brought 
against  his  wife,  many  ugly  facts  came  to 
light. 

Both  the  maid-servants,  as  also  the  man- 
servant, told  stories  which  made  the  few 
hairs  on  Leimann's  head  stand  on  end,  and 
he  could  not  understand  how  he  had  been  so 
blind  as  not  to  see  the  intrigue  going  on  in 
his  own  home. 

The  decree  of  divorce  was    granted  and 

Leimann  sent  in  his  papers  because,  on  the 

one   hand,   he    was   forced  to  seek   a   more 

lucrative  profession,  and  on   the  other  be- 

240 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


cause  the  whole  affair  had  so  damaged  his 
reputation  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to 
think  of  remaining  longer  in  the  army.  So 
he  accepted  a  situation  as  traveller  for  a 
wine  merchant,  a  post  which  provided  him 
with  the  necessary  means  of  livelihood.  He 
gave  up  his  broken  home  and  sent  his  child 
to  be  brought  up  in  a  friend's  family,  his 
small  pension  as  lieutenant  being  guaranteed 
as  payment. 

Almost  at  the  same  time  as  his  resignation 
was  accepted,  the  sentence  on  Borgert  was 
announced.  It  was,  in  all,  five  years'  im- 
prisonment, ten  years'  loss  of  civil  rights  and 
drumming  out  of  the  army,  the  cause  being 
fraud,  desertion,  and  ill-treatment  of  his 
subordinates  in   ten   proved   cases. 

The  newspapers  published  the  sentence, 
and  so  his  ingenious  career  came  to  a  close, 
in  his  Fatherland  at  any  rate. 

In  the  meantime  the  ex-Sergeant  Schmitz 
sat  at  one  of  the  numerous  desks  in  the 
office  of  a  large  factory. 

The    other    employees    had    already    left 

their  places,   and   were  just   about    to   take 

their  coats  from  the  pegs,  for   ten  minutes 

ago  the  bell  that  announced  work  was  over 

i6  241 


Life  hi  a  Garrison  Town 


for  the  day  had  rung.  But  Schmitz  had 
already  become  accustomed  to  the  conversa- 
tion going  on  around  and  he  wrote  indus- 
triously, quite  lost  in  columns  of  figures 
which  were  written  on  the  paper  before 
him. 

The  room  was  now  empty,  and  Schmitz 
was  about  to  begin  a  new  sheet  when  the 
foreman,  Mauer,  entered. 

He  was  a  man  of  square  build,  with  sharp, 
searching  eyes,  and  long  pale  face.  The 
moustache  hung  round  the  corners  of  his 
mouth,  and  the  whole  expression  of  his  face 
was  somewhat  cruel  and  brutal,  and  especially 
now,  as  he  stood  in  the  dim  light  looking  in 
at  the  door,  he  appeared  like  a  wild  beast. 

"  Again  you're  not  done.  Coming  soon  ?  " 
said  he  to  Schmitz,  who,  without  looking  up 
from  his  work,  answered  shortly  : 

"  In  a  moment;  sit  down  and  wait." 

The  two  men  were  good  friends. 

A  few  weeks  ago  Schmitz  was  among  the 
hands  at  the  lathe,  mechanically  pushing  one 
piece  of  wood  after  another  under  the  sharp 
teeth  of  the  circular  saw.  And  he  could 
have  passed  his  life  doing  the  monotonous 
work  which  gave  him  little  time  to  think. 
For  here  it  was  necessary  to  be  wide-awake 
242 


Life  ill  a  GarTison  Toicn 


if  one  did  not  want  to  bemoan  the  loss  of  a 
finger  or  perhaps  a  whole  hand. 

But  it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  reserve 
and  determination  of  this  quiet,  industrious 
man  fitted  him  for  a  wider  sphere  of  action, 
so  after  a  short  time  Schmitz  was  made  fore- 
man of  the  machine  shop  in  which  he  had 
till  then  worked. 

The  other  workmen,  it  is  true,  looked 
with  envious  eyes  upon  the  upstart  who  had 
only  just  appeared  upon  the  scene,  and  had 
already  been  put  over  them.  There  was  no 
lack  of  covert  sneers,  but  the  old  soldier  with 
perfect  calm  soon  put  those  in  their  place 
who  overstepped  the  mark. 

When  all  were  industriously  at  work  in 
the  morning  he  often  went  across  to  Mauer, 
who  was  employed  in  the  machine-shop. 

And  during  these  morning  talks  Mauer, 
who  was  a  dreaded  Social-Democrat,  soon 
discovered  in  Schmitz,  a  man  who  was  easy 
to  win,  a  promising  and  energetic  recruit  if 
he  were  only  properly  handled. 

This  effort  on  the  part  of  Mauer  was  the 
more  successful,  because  Schmitz  had  not 
yet  overcome  his  resentment  against  mili- 
tarism and  the  government  which  was  respon- 
sible for  it.  A  deep  inward  rage  still  stirred 
243 


Life  in  a  GaiTisoji  Toxvii 


him  at  the  injustice  which  had  robbed  him 
of  the  best  years  of  his  life. 

So  he  had  soon  pledged  himself  to  the 
red  flag,  body  and  soul,  and  out  of  the  faith- 
ful soldier  had  sprung  a  strenuous  upholder 
of  the  Socialists. 

The  next  day  Schmitz  was  to  make  a 
speech  before  a  large  circle  of  men  of  like 
opinions,  and  this  was  why  Mauer  waited 
for  him,  for  he  wanted  to  talk  over  the  most 
important  points  with  his  friend. 

When  Schmitz  had  finished  his  work  and 
locked  up  in  his  desk  the  sheet  upon  which 
the  list  of  work  for  the  previous  week  had 
been  noted,  he  went  out  with  Mauer,  and 
the  two  wandered  silently  towards  the  narrow 
street  where  the  latter  lived. 

They  took  home  a  can  of  beer  with  them 
from  a  neighbouring  public-house,  ht  the 
lamp,  and  began  to  discuss   matters. 

It  was  a  question  of  a  new  tariff  Bill 
which  would  fall  as  a  crushing  burden  on 
the  working  class,  and  therefore  it  was  neces- 
sary to  gain  over  as  much  opposition  as 
possible,  so  that  at  the  last  reading  of  the 
Bill  in  the  Reichstag  an  enormous  majority 
should  prevent  the  carrying  out  of  the 
proposition. 

244 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toicn 

The  two  friends  remained  in  earnest  con- 
versation till  after  midnight,  and  when  they 
separated  they  were  united  by  a  stronger  tie 
than  before. 

The  next  day  found  Schmitz  in  a  state  of 
feverish  unrest.  It  seemed  to  him  that  a 
strange  change  had  taken  place  in  him  since 
he  had  ceased  to  wear  the  King's  uniform. 
A  year  ago  he  was  still  a  soldier  of  the 
Emperor,  a  man  who  had  sworn  to  protect 
his  Fatherland  and  help  its  advance ;  and 
now  ?  one  of  those  who  were  accused  of 
upheaving  the  State  from  its  foundations 
and  creating  a  new  form  of  government  in 
accordance  with  their  own  laws. 

And  yet  the  same  evening  he  proudly 
mounted  the  speaker's  platform  and  hun- 
dreds greeted  their  new  and  able  comrade. 
Before  he  had  even  spoken  a  word  there 
awoke  in  him  a  strange  new  sensation,  a 
vague  tremendous  desire  to  achieve  some 
great  act.  He  wanted  to  appeal  to  and  carry 
with  him  the  assembled  multitude,  to  force 
them  into  the  magic  circle  of  his  thoughts, 
that  all  should  follow  him  passively  as  the 
sheep  their  shepherd.  He  began  his  speech 
in    a    firm  voice.     With    broad    strokes   he 

H5 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


described  first  the  character  of  the  new  law 
proposed  and  then  the  consequences  to  the 
working  classes. 

A  new  tax  always  meant  another  step 
towards  making  the  poor  poorer.  And  these 
fresh  expenses  would  be  unnecessary  if  there 
were  not  a  continual  increase  of  the  army 
and  changes  in  the  equipments. 

'*  The  State  spends  enormous  sums  every 
year  on  the  army,"  said  he.  "  Scarcely  have 
millions  been  spent  for  the  introduction  of 
new  guns,  or  the  forming  of  a  new  regiment, 
when  these  changes  soon  prove  to  be  behind 
the  times,  and  new  sums  of  an  incredible 
amount  are  demanded  to  make  good  errors 
or  premature  haste.  Germany's  fame  and 
place  among  the  Powers  has  been  won  by 
her  army,  and  it  is  her  army  which  her 
neighbours  envy.  Are  we  not  already  at 
the  zenith  of  our  military  power  ?  Must  we 
so  increase  our  army  till  it  finally  crushes 
every  other  organ  of  the  State  ? 

"  Were  only  a  part  of  the  colossal  sums, 
which  the  army  swallows  up  every  year,  used 
for  other  departments  of  the  Empire,  it  would 
not  be  necessary  to  tax  the  citizens  so  out 
of  proportion  to  their  incomes.  Then  we 
should  become  a  rich  country,  the  citizens 
246 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


would  be  well  off;  industry,  re-born  with  a 
new  vigour,  would  advance  by  leaps  and 
bounds. 

"  Should  this  undue  favouritism  shown  to 
the  army  not  decrease,"  continued  Schmitz, 
"  then  the  necessary  sums  required  to  keep  it 
up  should  be  taken  from  either  the  leisured 
classes  or  from  those  who,  doing  unimportant 
work,  save  millions.  But,  as  it  is,  the  rich 
are  not  more  heavily  burdened  than  the 
working  man,  who  gives  up  his  hard-won 
bread  to  help  to  provide  a  capital  in  the 
fruits  of  which  he  never  participates. 

"  For  what  blessing  does  the  army  bring 
to  the  citizens  or  to  the  people  ?  They 
bring  up  sons  only  to  surrender  them  in 
the  best  years  of  youth,  when  the  boy  de- 
velops into  the  man  and  his  character  ripens, 
only  too  often  to  be  treated  with  injustice 
and  brutality,  and  to  be  returned  to  ordinary 
life  as  bitter  opponents  of  the  Government 
or  as  cripples.  Though  a  man  may  have 
sacrificed  to  the  State  the  best  years  of  his 
working  life  and  health,  he  may  be  discharged 
for  a  trifle  and,  like  a  cast-off  dog,  must  seek 
a  new  master  to  gain  his  bread  in  the  struggle 
for  existence. 

"  For  this  reason  let  us  try  to  force  the 
247 


Life  hi  a  Garrison  Toivn 


Government  to  employ  the  money  which 
they  spend  so  uselessly,  for  some  better  aim, 
so  that  the  people  may  be  rewarded  for  the 
sacrifices  they  make  !  " 

The  words  of  the  speaker,  thinking  as  he 
did  of  his  own  bitter  experiences,  were  greeted 
with  frequent  applause,  and  as  Schmitz  left 
the  platform  the  enthusiastic  crowd  tumul- 
tuously  greeted  the  man  who  had  found  the 
right  means  to  lessen  their  burdens. 

So  convincing  had  his  words  sounded  that 
many  who  had  not  yet  decided  which  party 
they  should  join,  unconditionally  followed 
the  man  whose  words  had  moved  them  so 
deeply  that  evening,  and  so  Schmitz  in  an 
instant  became  one  of  the  ablest  adherents 
of  the  Red  Party,  whose  power  in  the  great 
manufacturing  town  was  continually  on  the 
increase. 


248 


Chapter   VII 


SERGEANT-MAJOR  KROHN,  the 
clerk    of    the    regiment,    stood    lean- 
ing   against    the    iron   grating  of  the 
staff  office. 

He  was  comfortably  smoking  a  morning 
cigar  and  reading  the  Deutsche  Zeilung,  which 
the  postman  had  just  delivered  for  the  Colo- 
nel. There  was  no  especial  haste  about 
work,  for  the  Colonel  had  ridden  out  to  the 
manoeuvres,  and  on  such  days  the  adjutant 
always  made  up  for  lost  hours  of  sleep. 

Krohn  was  just  deep  in  reading  the  ad- 
vertisements when  Sergeant- Major  Schone- 
mann  entered,  a  cigarette  between  his  lips 
and  his  sword  dangling  at  his  heels. 

"  Morning,  Herr  Commandeur,"  said 
Krohn  jokingly.  "  What's  the  news  ? 
Are  the  smiths  at  work  yet  ?  " 

"  No,"     answered      Schonemann ;      "  the 
smiths  are  still  on  the  way  and  no  lead  has 
come    by   post.      But    have   you    heard   the 
latest  ?     I'd  almost  forgotten." 
249 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


"  No  ;  have  they  decorated  me  ?  " 

"Not  exactly  that,  but  Konig  is  under 
arrest." 

"What?  Konig?  Donnerwetter!  What's 
he  been  up  to  ?  " 

"  Oh,  they  say  he's  dipped  his  fist  in  the 
squadron  cash-box.  Such  a  rich  fellow 
needn't  have  done  that." 

"  The  devil  he  has !  But  I  shouldn't 
have  thought  it,  especially  of  him.  How 
did  it  come  out  ?  " 

"  I  haven't  an  idea.  It  must  have  got  to 
the  Colonel.  He  sent  for  him  yesterday 
and  told  him  the  whole  story.  I  was  look- 
ing through  the  keyhole  and  saw  the  poor 
fellow  turn  pale.  He  at  once  wanted  to 
fetch  the  account  books.  But  the  Colonel 
wouldn't  let  him  go  and  had  him  put  under 
arrest." 

"  But  they  were  always  such  good 
friends." 

"  Of  course  !  There  must  be  something 
in  the  story  or  the  Colonel  wouldn't  have 
acted  so,  especially  as  he's  in  a  tight  box 
himself.     This  scandal  will  finish  him." 

"  I  won't  believe  it  till  I  see  it  in  black 
and  white.  Konig  wouldn't  do  such  a 
thing.  The  Colonel's  always  after  some- 
250 


Life  in  (I  Gdrrison  Toicn 


thing  or  other   and  is  glad  if  he  can  go  for  a 
man.      He  considers  that  smart." 
"  Well,  we  shall  see." 

Lieutenant  Borgert  had  considered  it  his 
last  duty  to  pay  out  Captain  Konig  for  the 
letter  which  he  had  written  refusing  the  loan 
for  which  Borgert  had  asked.  The  trans- 
action which  he  knew  of  seemed  to  him  a 
fitting  tool  for  revenge,  and  so  he  had  taken 
care  by  occasional  remarks  among  his  com- 
rades to  spread  the  report  more  and  more. 
At  last  the  gossip  and  talk  had  reached  such 
a  pitch  that  there  was  nothing  left  but  to 
investigate  the  matter. 

But  Konig  had  found  no  chance  to  clear 
himself  of  the  terrible  suspicion,  for  not  a 
word  was  uttered  before  him.  Borgert  had 
succeeded  in  rousing  a  general  feeling  of  dis- 
like against  the  man  who  had  been  so  popu- 
lar. And  as  the  latter  answered  this  only 
with  quiet  reserve,  no  sympathy  was  shown 
for  him,  but,  on  the  contrary,  everybody 
was  secretly  glad  that  there  was  another 
scapegoat. 

Lieutenant  Bleibtreu  would  perhaps  have 
told  his  superior  officer  in  good  time  of  the 
gossip,  but  he  happened  to  be  away  on  leave 
251 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


and  did  not  correspond  with  his  contem- 
poraries, and  only  learnt  of  the  story  from 
Konig  himself. 

Konig  had  been  let  out  on  a  substantial 
bail,  and  so,  although  suspended  from  his 
duties,  he  could  await  the  result  in  his  own 
home.  At  first  he  was  almost  beside  him- 
self After  fifteen  years'  reproachless  service 
to  be  accused  of  a  mean  and  paltry  crime  on 
the  word  of  a  morally  degraded  man,  the 
laughing-stock  of  everybody,  and,  to  boot,  a 
man  who  owed  him  gratitude  ! 

Where  was  the  trust,  the  good  comrade- 
ship, which  had  always  been  shown  him  ? 
Was  it  not  the  duty  of  his  superiors  to 
investigate  facts,  which  in  his  circumstances 
were  most  unlikely,  before  he  was  actually 
accused,  a  course  likely  to  ruin  his  reputation 
both  in  the  regiment  and  in  the  town  ? 

His  arrest  had  caused  all  kinds  of  extrava- 
gant reports  and  scandals,  so  much  so  that 
he  was  now  looked  upon  as  a  criminal,  an 
outcast,  and  he  and  his  family  were  already 
objects  of  scorn. 

Only    Bleibtreu    was     convinced    of    his 

friend's  innocence,  he  knew  him  too  well  to 

be  able  to  believe  for  a  moment  that  he  was 

guilty.     He  showed   this  by   daily   visiting 

252 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Konig  in  his  home  without  concealment 
and  spending  the  evening  in  the  family- 
circle. 

He  joined  him  in  his  lonely  walks,  even 
persevering  in  this  after  having  been  warned 
against  Konig  by  his  comrades,  who  showed 
their  resentment  by  taking  up  a  distinctly 
hostile  position  with  regard  to  him. 

However,  all  this  enmity  did  not  succeed 
in  weakening  him  ;  he  would  have  considered 
it  cowardly  and  base  to  desert  a  friend  in 
misfortune,  who  had  been  good  to  him  in 
better  days. 

Gradually  the  whole  regiment,  especially 
the  privates,  became  indignant  at  the  manner 
in  which  a  favourite  officer  was  plunged  into 
misfortune,  and  this  feeling  was  expressed 
by  frequent  visits  of  his  subordinates  to  the 
Captain.  Even  the  civilians,  who  had  entirely 
withdrawn  from  the  society  of  the  Colonel, 
and  that  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  regiment, 
were  filled  with  disgust  and  repugnance  at 
this  disgraceful  state  of  affairs  and  manifested 
their  sympathy  for  Konig  in  an  unmistakable 
way. 

Owing  to  these  circumstances  Konig 
gradually  looked  more  hopefully  at  the 
future.       He    comforted    himself  with    the 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


thought  that  justice  would  prevail  and  the 
day  must  come  when  he  would  reckon  up 
with  those  who  had  dared  to  assail  his 
honour.  But  he  had  to  undergo  a  severe 
trial  of  patience. 

Had  the  case  been  such  as  to  excite  public 
comment,  and  had  the  issue  roused  the 
feeling  and  curiosity  of  the  multitude  —  mur- 
der, ill-treatment,  or  some  such  momentous 
crime  —  there  would  have  been  a  great  haste 
to  appease  public  opinion  by  quickly  arriv- 
ing at  a  verdict. 

But  here  there  seemed  to  be  no  haste  — 
the  accused  had  to  wait  patiently  till  time 
could  be  found  for  his  case.  What  did  it 
matter  how  long  he  remained  in  uncertainty, 
thus  giving  rich  food  for  gossip  among  the 
evil-disposed  ? 

So  only  after  six  weeks  did  the  first  hear- 
ing take  place  in  which  Konig  was  given 
an  opportunity  to  explain  the  whole  affair 
and  to  prove  his  innocence. 

But  he  was  mistaken  if  he  had  hoped  that 
this  would  end  the  trial.  For  now  the 
books  for  the  last  three  years  were  ordered 
to  be  examined,  and  for  this  purpose  the 
Court  required  three  whole  months. 

On  the  principal  count  of  the  indictment 
254 


Life  in  a  Garrisoti  Town 


he  was  found  "  not  guilty."  It  was  proved 
that  the  regiment's  cash  had  not  been  mis- 
appropriated, but  that  he  had  pretended  to 
do  so  in  order  to  prove  the  difficulties  of 
getting  money,  and  so  to  put  an  end  to 
further  attempts  at  borrowing. 

Konig  himself  had  thought  any  other 
verdict  impossible.  But  among  the  circle  of 
his  comrades  it  was  received  with  rage  and 
disappointment,  and  on  the  other  hand  with 
satisfaction  and  pleasure  by  all  those  who 
liked  Konig  and  his  family,  and  who  had 
doubted  the  truth  of  the  charge  from  the 
very   outset. 

When  four  months  later  the  verdict  was 
confirmed,  he  was  arraigned  anew  before  the 
Court  of  Honour  which  was  to  re-open  the 
whole  affair  and  to  submit  the  case  again  to 
examination  to  see  if  in  any  point  Konig  had 
violated  the  rules  of  conduct  befitting  an 
officer,  and,  if  so,  he  would  be  liable  to 
punishment  from  that  tribunal. 

As  now  an  unfavourable  result  was  no 
longer  to  be  feared,  Konig,  after  considera- 
tion, was  convinced  that  even  if  he  were 
punished  at  all,  only  the  minimum  penalty 
could  be  inflicted,  which  would  leave  no  evil 
effects. 


Life  in  a  Gm^rison  Town 


This  time  the  Captain  looked  upon  as 
an  hour  of  trial  ordained  by  fate  —  a  time  of 
uncertainty  and  doubt,  but  he  felt  quite 
cheerful  in  his  enforced  retirement  after  he 
was  once  accustomed  to  it. 

When  with  his  family,  Konig  overcame 
the  depression  which  often  seized  him,  and 
he  spent  the  day  in  his  favourite  occupa- 
tion of  playing  the  piano  or  in  other  like 
amusements. 

Frau  Clara  had  survived  the  trying  period 
with  admirable  energy  and  courage:  once 
the  most  popular  lady  of  the  regiment, 
honoured  and  esteemed  by  all,  and  now  the 
wife  of  the  man  at  whom  all  fingers  were 
pointed  as  if  he  were  a  rogue  —  a  disaster 
which  might  well  have  humbled  a  proud 
woman's  soul  to  the  dust. 

Yet  it  was  she  who  brought  sunshine  into 
the  depressed  atmosphere,  who  often  dis- 
pelled the  clouds  of  sorrow  and  despair  with 
a  simulated  gaiety. 

Even  Bleibtreu  in  the  company  of  this 
charming  woman  regained  his  good-humour 
whenever  he  lost  courage  in  this  maze  of 
back-biting  and  infamy. 

One  day  when  particularly  depressed  he 
came    to    see    Konig.      He    took    his    place 
256 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


silently  at  the  supper  table,  and  even  Frau 
Konig's  lively  chatter  was  not  able  to  dispel 
the  cloud  which  hung  over  him. 

Only  when  the  little  son  of  the  house  was 
put  to  bed,  and  they  were  sitting  round  the 
table  in  Konig's  den,  did  the  Captain  slap 
him  on  the  shoulder  and  say  with  a  laugh  : 

"  Why  do  you  pull  such  a  long  face  ?  Has 
something  gone  wrong  at  home  ?  " 

A  mournful  smile  appeared  on  Bleibtreu's 
lips,  but  he  answered  nothing. 

"  But  do  tell  me,  man,  what  is  the  matter 
with  you,"  the  Captain  repeated. 

"  My  request  to  be  transferred  has  been 
refused  to-day,"  replied  the  young  officer  in 
a  depressed  voice. 

Konig  did  not  answer,  his  wife  also  re- 
mained silent  and  only  looked  with  sympathy 
at  her  friend. 

"  And  what  do  you  think  of  doing  now  ?  " 
asked  the  Captain  after  a  short  pause. 

"  I  have  sent  in  my  resignation  to-day." 

For  a  moment  husband  and  wife  looked 
startled  at  the  speaker,  but  then  Konig 
stretched  out  his  hand  to  his  friend,  saying : 

"You  have  done  the  right  thing!  It  is 
true  I  pity  you  from  the  bottom  of  my 
heart.  You  must  now  choose  a  new  profes- 
17  257 


Life  in  a  G-ariison  Town 


sion,  but  you  are  young  and  you  have  still 
many  years  before  you.  I  understand  the  mo- 
tives which  have  influenced  you  to  this  step. 
As  a  young  officer  you  have  experienced 
what  in  my  old  days  touches  me  no  less,  and 
I  can  understand  that  you  have  lost  all  respect 
for  the  profession  which  has  been  yours  till 
now.  I  could  have  wished  you  to  have 
learnt  your  lesson  in  another  garrison  under 
different  conditions  and  among  different 
people.  There  are  still  officers  with  whom 
one  can  live  and  enjoy  life.  As  this  has 
been  denied  to  you,  it  is  best  for  you  to  turn 
your  back  on  a  soldier's  career.  I  should 
have  given  you  this  advice  sooner  had  I  not 
been  afraid  of  urging  you  to  a  step  which 
perhaps  later  you  would  have  repented.  To 
show  that  I  speak  from  conviction,  I  will 
tell  you  that  I  also  think  of  resigning." 

This  time  it  was  Bleibtreu  who  stared  at 
the  Captain  with  wide-open  eyes. 

"  But  why?  "  he  asked,  astonished.  "For 
you  at  least  will  be  transferred." 

"  Certainly  I  shall  be  transferred,  but  with 
me  it  is  as  with  you.  I  have  lost  all  respect 
for  the  profession  I  have  filled  with  honour 
for  fifteen  years.  It  is  true  that  my  first 
experiences  were  much  better,  but  that  such 
258 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


things  can  happen  as  have  happened  among 
our  own  officers  has  shown  me  that  I  am  out 
of  place  here.  Who  can  promise  that  simi- 
lar things  will  not  happen  to  me  in  another 
garrison  ?  Besides,  I  can  distinctly  foresee 
that  I  shall  not  be  transferred  to  an  important 
centre." 

"  And  why  not?  "  asked  Bleibtreu. 

"  Semper  aliquid  haeret^  my  friend  —  some 
mud  always  sticks  ;  besides,  I  am  still  to  be 
punished  by  the  Court  of  Honour,  which 
means  an  inferior  garrison." 

"  That  is  possible,"  assented  Bleibtreu. 

"  Do  you  know  I've  lived  in  this  miser- 
able hole  for  nine  years  !  I  have  become  a 
regular  peasant.  It's  the  truth,  though  you 
may  laugh.  If  one  never  associates  with 
other  people — the  few  days'  leave  are  of 
no  account  —  one  hardly  knows  how  to  be- 
have, and  becomes  accustomed  to  bad  form 
and  careless  habits  which  would  disgust  our 
friends  in  Berlin  or  Hanover.  The  casino, 
which  we  have  gradually  found  natural  and 
normal  enough  here,  would  be  quite  impos- 
sible in  another  garrison,  because  people 
there  have  more  intercourse  with  each  other, 
and  see  new  faces  every  day,  and  so  are 
obliged  to  be  careful  of  their  manners.  But 
259 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


let  these  people  live  together  the  whole  year, 
alone,  isolated,  then  manners  will  grow  more 
careless,  and  by  degrees  one  becomes  a  kind 
of  drawing-room  cad." 

"  That  is  quite  natural.  Captain.  Here  we 
live  together  as  in  a  dovecot,  and  of  course 
no  one  has  anything  better  to  do  than  to  pry 
into  his  neighbour's  affairs,  and  to  meddle 
with  everything  he  does  simply  because  he 
has  no  other  occupation,  for  the  sufficient 
reason  that  there  is  nothing  for  him  to  do  in 
such  a  small  garrison  ;  and  besides,  this  is 
the  cause  of  these  eternal  scandals,  for  to 
these  out-of-the-way  holes  are  sent  those 
undesirable  elements  which  cannot  be  em- 
ployed in  more  respectable  garrisons,  and 
for  which  there  is  no  other  riddance.  Every 
day  one  hears :  penalty,  transference  to 
Morchengen,  Lyck,  or  whatever  the  name 
of  the  hateful  places  are." 

"  Quite  right,"  Konig  answered  warmly. 
"  Whoever  has  done  wrong  somewhere  else 
is  generally  sent  to  a  frontier  garrison  In 
order  to  render  him  harmless.  They  never 
consider  that  these  objectionable  units  so 
collected  together  may  be  the  cause  of  more 
evil  than  if  they  lived  among  at  least  a  like 
number  of  worthy  and  irreproachable  com- 
260 


Life  in  a  Garrison  T'own 


rades.  Nearly  all  the  scandalous  stories  told 
of  officers  happen  on  the  frontiers  in  such 
forsaken  holes  as  are  only  known  because 
they  are  marked  on  the  large  maps.  If  the 
officers  were  at  least  allowed  to  go  their  own 
way  !  But  no,  they  are  almost  forced  to  live 
at  the  casino  —  other  relaxations  which  larger 
towns  offer  in  plenty  do  not  exist  —  and  who 
would  wish  to  spend  every  evening  at  the 
ale-house,  drinking  the  same  beer,  for  ever 
listening  to  the  drivel  of  the  same  people, 
whose  eternal  subject  is  always  the  same  old 
tiresome  town  scandals  ?  One  cannot  stand 
it  for  ever,  and  other  ale-houses  are  forbid- 
den, being  too  much  patronised  by  the  riff- 
raff. So  one  goes  to  the  casino  and  drinks 
out  of  pure  weariness  till  one  has  had  quite 
enough,  and  so  the  notorious  scandals  begin. 
Friction  must  be  the  result  of  this  constant 
herding  together,  for,  after  all,  these  are  all 
men  of  different  minds,  manners  and  edu- 
cation. In  a  large  garrison  one  only  goes 
to  the  casino  if  there  is  a  definite  purpose, 
for  there  are  other  means  of  driving  dulness 
away  than  by  immoderate  drinking.  But  if 
a  man  is  also  given  to  running  after  women 
there  is  the  devil  to  pay.  Here  you  have 
the  best  example.  In  a  large  town  there 
261 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

are  enough  women  to  satisfy  him,  but  there 
being  none  here  he  makes  up  instead  to  the 
wives  of  his  comrades." 

"  But  these  small  frontier  garrisons,  nearly- 
all  of  such  great  importance,  require  to  be 
officered,"  Bleibtreu  interposed. 

"  Of  course,"  Konig  replied  earnestly ; 
"  nor  should  they  send  such  inferior  officers  ; 
rather  should  they  send  here  men  of  unfail- 
ing principles  and  spotless  record.  Espe- 
cially so  if  these  frontier  garrisons  are  of 
such  vast  importance,  for  these  empty-headed 
topers  rarely  become  useful  officers  when  a 
sudden  emergency  makes  higher  demands  on 
their  abilities.  But  every  man  looks  upon 
it  as  a  special  punishment,  or  at  least  ill-luck, 
if  he  is  sent  to  the  frontier,  and  that  often 
destroys  his  entire  pleasure  in  playing  the 
soldier.  He  moves  Heaven  and  hell  to  be 
transferred  to  a  better  post.  An  officer  of 
the  Guards,  or  one  in  a  crack  regiment, 
passes  the  whole  of  his  time  of  service  in  a 
great  city,  happy,  glorious  and  victorious. 
But  why  are  such  as  we  left  to  languish 
away  the  best  years  of  our  life  in  such  a 
God-forsaken  hole  ?  " 

"  Possibly    on    account    of   the    cost    of 
numerous    transfers,  which    would    mean    a 
262 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 

yearly  increased  demand  on  the  revenue," 
said  Bleibtreu. 

"  That  is  no  reason ;  if  they  were  in 
earnest  it  would  be  done.  Every  year  hun- 
dreds of  officers  stream  into  Berlin  to. take 
temporary  command.  This  over,  each  one 
could  be  sent  to  another  garrison,  and  that 
would  not  cost  more  than  to  send  him  back 
to  his  old  regiment.  Other  officers  would 
then  come  to  Berlin,  and  these  again  be  sent 
to  other  garrisons.  So  there  would  be  an 
even  interchange  of  officers.  Regiment  X, 
which  has  sent  an  officer  to  be  trained  in 
Berlin,  gets  a  fully-trained  one  in  return, 
who  before  was  attached  to  a  regiment  in 
Y.  Besides  these  regular  changes  every 
year  there  might  be  supplementary  ones  for 
which  some  economy  in  another  depart- 
ment could  be  made  to  pay. 

"Instead  of  which  the  officers  of  the 
frontier  garrison  regiments  —  there  being, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  cadets,  no  new 
fund  of  young  officers  to  draw  from  —  are 
recruited  from  blackguards  and  such-like 
who  have  made  themselves  impossible  in 
other  garrisons,  and  of  course  not  including 
such  superior  officers  who  regard  a  frontier 
regiment  as  a  distinction,  because  they  are 
263 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


then  near  the  enemy,  and,  when  the  occasion 
offers,  get  the  first  chance. 

"  But  even  this  is  only  an  illusion.  These 
days,  when  the  prospects  of  war  are  contin- 
ually becoming  less,  the  advantage  of  being 
close  to  the  enemy  is  only  theoretical. 

"  According  to  the  present  system  it 
should  be  a  principle  not  to  leave  any 
officer  more  than  two  years,  or,  at  most, 
three,  in  a  frontier  garrison.  Then  would 
the  army  be  saved  from  much  harm  in  re- 
spect both  of  its  efficiency  and  its  reputation. 
Besides,  it  would  put  an  end  in  the  world  to 
a  crying  injustice." 

Bleibtreu  nodded  acquiescence,  and  when 
Konig  had  finished,  he  said : 

"  I  agree  with  you  in  everything.  Captain. 
But  in  spite  of  this  you  should  try  another 
garrison,  for,  in  your  place,  after  so  many 
years  of  service,  I  would  at  least  hold  out 
till  I  could  become  Captain  of  the  First 
Class.  That  will  only  be  two  or  three  years 
more,  and  then  you  will  have  the  right  to 
a  much  larger  pension.  Should  the  new 
garrison  not  be  to  your  taste,  why,  there 
will  still  be  ample  time  to  send  in  your 
resignation." 

"  Certainly  —  you  are  right.  But  I  have 
264 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


already  told  you  that  I  have  lost  all  pleasure 
in  my  profession.  I  have  laboured  and  striven 
for  fifteen  years.  1  have  always  done  my 
duty  to  the  satisfaction  of  my  superiors,  and 
received  many  distinctions.  Now  that  I 
have  been  crippled  in  the  running  another 
is  at  once  appointed  to  my  place.  Nobody 
cares  about  the  results  of  my  previous  work  : 
the  machine  goes  on  as  if  I  had  never  existed. 
And  if  one  can  see  no  lasting  success  for  the 
work  of  one's  life  it  is  so  crushing,  so  mor- 
tifying !  The  able  physician,  the  merchant, 
the  lawyer  would  each  be  missed  should  he 
leave  the  scene  of  his  activity,  but  nobody- 
cares  for  us  unless  one  happens  to  be  a  great 
general.  As  I  can  never  again  perform  my 
duties  with  heartfelt  pleasure  and  devotion, 
I  prefer  to  go." 

The  decision  of  the  Court  of  Honour  was 
"  Admonition  for  imperilling  the  standard 
of  conduct  befitting  an  officer."  A  further 
explanation  was  added  that  no  officer  has  a 
right  to  put  himself  in  a  position  where  he 
is  liable  to  be  misjudged  by  the  world.  As 
this  however  had  happened  in  the  present 
instance,  it  was  necessary  that  it  should  be 
made  clear  to  Captain  Konig  that  his  con- 
265 


Life  in  a  Crarrison  Town 


duct  was  both  incorrect  and  prejudicial  to 
his  honour  as  an  officer.  Konig  read  the 
official  document  with  a  cynical  smile,  and 
the  same  evening  he  sent  in  his  resignation. 

A  few  weeks  before  this  the  Colonel  had 
also  received  a  document,  but  from  "  above," 
and  it  was  in  a  blue  envelope.  In  it  was 
intimated  that,  although  his  excellent  services 
were  acknowledged  and  valued,  there  was 
now  no  longer  need  for  them.  Hence  no 
opposition  was  made  when  the  Colonel  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  resign  on  the  plea  that  he 
could  no  longer  bear  the  fatigues  of  His 
Majesty's  service. 

One  day  a  yellow  furniture  van  drew  up 
before  the  beautiful  house  at  the  end  of  the 
town,  and  everything  was  packed  into  it 
which  was  worth  taking. 

As  for  the  Colonel,  he  and  his  family 
went  quite  modestly  to  the  railway-station, 
where  there  was  no  one  to  greet  them  but 
the  man-servant,  who  was  ordered  to  see 
to  the  luggage.  At  the  last  moment,  how- 
ever, the  nursemaid  rushed  up  out  of  breath 
and  clamoured  for  her  last  month's  wages. 

A  shrill  whistle,  and  the  express  train 
bore  away  a  man  who,  with  a  mournful 
266 


Life  in  a  Gariifion  Tovcn 


smile,  allowed  his  eyes  to  wander  over  the 
roofs  of  the  town  which  had  been  so  blessed 
as  to  be  the  scene  of  five  years  of  his  strenu- 
ous activity, 

Bleibtreu  and  Konig  went  away  the  same 
week,  and  with  their  departure  the  army  lost 
two  valuable  soldiers  and  devoted  adherents. 


267 


Chapter  VIII 


IT  was  after  eight  o'clock  on  a  December 
evening.      The    shops    and     business 
houses  were  being   noisily  closed,   on 
all    sides    could    be    heard    the    rattling    of 
shutters  as  they  fell  and  darkened  the  bril- 
liantly-lighted shop  windows.     The  asphalt 
seemed  to  be  a  moving   mass  of  silent  and 
hurrying  people.      Hurrying   and  scurrying 
they  passed  as  if  each  one  of  them   had  to 
make    up    for    lost    time    or    lost    opportu- 
nity, elegant  women,  men  in  their  working 
clothes,  others  fashionably  dressed,  while  an 
endless   swarm   of  young   girls    poured    out 
of  the  shops  and  business  houses,  mingling 
with    those  who   strolled    idly   along    in  an 
obtrusive  cloud  of  cheap  perfume  and  with 
a   liberal    display    of  silk    petticoats.     Cabs 
and  omnibuses   tore  along   in    endless    suc- 
cession,  bearing    to    their  destination  smart 
couples,    veiled    ladies,    stockbrokers,    mer- 
chant princes  and  travellers,  in  fact  all  who 
wished  to  avoid   the  dust  of  the  rabble  or 
268 


Life  iti  (I  Gariison  Town 

who  were  in  a  desperate  hurry.  Inter- 
mingled could  be  heard  the  shrill  hootings 
of  the  motor  or  the  ring  of  the  omnibus 
bells,  while  smart  carriages  rolled  noiselessly- 
over  the  asphalt,  and  by  the  light  of  a  shop 
window  or  a  street  lamp  an  occasional  glance 
could  penetrate  into  their  dim  interiors. 
The  turmoil  of  a  great  city's  streets,  the 
myriad  crowds,  the  hurry  and  scurry,  all 
bore  the  stamp  of  enormous  effort  and  ac- 
tivity ;  it  was  like  an  ant-hill  in  which  each 
tiny  insect  performs  its  unwearied  duty,  and 
seeks,  with  restless  industry,  to  labour  only 
for  the  common  good. 

A  well-dressed,  handsome  couple  turned 
the  corner  into  a  badly-lighted  side  street, 
and  made  their  way  across  the  dirty  road 
between  the  countless  coster  carts  and 
waggons. 

They  stopped  before  a  modest  house  and 
ascended  the  worn-out  stone  steps.  The 
porter  looked  out  of  his  lodge  as  they 
passed  and  favoured  them  with  a  very  abrupt 
greeting.  The  pair  had  moved  over  from 
Hotel  Monopole,  and  had  been  the  subject 
of  a  good  deal  of  speculation  on  his  part. 

They  were  ex-Lieutenant  Borgert  and 
Frau  Leimann.  They  had  made  their  way 
269 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


to  London,  hoping  to  be  free  there  from 
pursuit,  and  to  gain  a  livehhood  in  the 
immense  city  which  provided  daily  bread 
for  its  countless   millions. 

Their  money  had  soon  vanished,  for  those 
who  cannot  reckon  in  the  days  of  plenty  can 
neither  reckon  in  the  days  of  distress.  And 
so  Borgert  had  been  obliged  to  seek  em- 
ployment to  save  them  from  hunger,  hard 
though  it  was  for  the  pampered  dissolute 
man,  bred  in  idleness,  to  force  himself  to 
work.  But  he  had  already  been  dismissed 
by  two  business  houses,  and  he  had  just 
returned  from  an  unsuccessful  search  for 
work. 

In  despair  he  threw  himself  on  the  narrow 
sofa  and  covered  his  face  with  his  hands, 
while  Frau  Leimann  crouched  in  a  small 
chair  before  the  fire. 

With  dull  eyes  she  watched  the  dying 
embers ;  the  coals  that  now  threw  their 
warmth  into  the  sordid  room  were  their  last. 
Neither  spoke  a  word,  and  when  Borgert 
at  length  broke  the  silence  the  woman 
started  up  in  fear  as  if  from  some  terrible 
dream. 

"  What  will  become  of  us  ?  "  he  said  softly. 

Frau  Leimann  did  not  answer,  but  looked 
270 


Ijife  ill  a  Gai'rison  Town 


silently  again  into  the  fire,  and  there  were 
tears  in   her  eyes. 

"  Unless  we  can  pay  we  shall  be  turned 
out  of  this  house  to-morrow  ;  after  that  we 
shall  have  to  sleep  in  the  street." 

"  You  must  work,  George,"  the  woman 
replied,  her  voice  choked  with  tears,  and  she 
tried  to  infuse  some  energy  into  the  tones  of 
her  voice. 

"  Haven't  I  tried  ?  "  answered  he,  shrug- 
ging his  shoulders.  *'  Haven't  I  been 
turned  out  every  time  ?  And  there  is  no 
good  in  my  trying  anything  again.  I  can't 
work,  for  I  have  never  learned  how." 

"  But  something  must  be  done !  We 
must  find  a  way  out  of  this  !  "  she  cried  in 
despair,  "If  you  mean  to  desert  me  now, 
you  should  not  have  lured  me  to  my  de- 
struction." 

"  I  lured  you  ?  "  asked  Borgert  with  a 
sneer.  "  Who  lured  you  ^.  Was  it  not 
you  who  begged  to  go  with  me  because 
you  couldn't  stand  your  noble  husband  any 
longer  ?  " 

"  If  it  was  so,  you,  as  a  man,  should  have 
had  sense  enough  to  dissuade  me  from  my 
folly." 

"  Oh,  you  women  !  Can  anybody  dis- 
271 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


suade  you  when  you  have  once  got  a  notion 
fixed  in  your  head  !  Now  I  have  to  bear 
the  blame  alone.  You  women  of  course  are 
never  to  blame." 

"  Don't  revile  me,  George.  Pull  yourself 
together  and  consider  what  can  be  done  now. 
Help  must  come  from  somewhere." 

"  Here  is  help  ! "  replied  Borgert,  and 
threw  a  small  revolver  on  the  table. 

The  woman  shuddered,  and  for  a  moment 
she  leant  back  against  the  wall,  half-fainting, 
while  her  terror-stricken  eyes  stared  at  the 
little  weapon,  on  the  metal  barrel  of  which 
the  flames  from  the  fire  glinted. 

"  For  God's  sake,"  she  stammered  breath- 
lessly —  "  are  you  mad  ? " 

"  On  the  contrary,"  he  answered  coolly, 
"  it  is  the  only  way.  This  is  not  the  first 
time  I've  thought  of  it.  Is  it  not  better  to 
end  at  once  this  beggar's  existence,  this  dog's 
life,  rather  than  perhaps  to  drag  out  life  in 
misery  and  doubt  ^  " 

Frau  Leimann,  immersed  in  thought, 
approached  nearer  to  the  dying  embers  as 
if  their  beneficent  warmth  had  the  power  to 
wake  to  new  life  the  frozen  blood  in  her 
veins.  Her  eyes  were  set  in  a  blank  stare 
on  a  faded  print  which  hung  over  the 
272 


IJJ'c  in  (I  Giniison  Town 


mantelpiece  representing  a  banquet  of  some 
old  English  king.  As  if  stunned  she  looked 
with  vacant  eyes  at  the  picture,  which  so 
vividly  depicted  the  joy  of  living.  She  did 
not  perceive  that  Borgert  had  stolen  noise- 
lessly behind  her. 

There  was  a  shot,  and  with  a  scream  she 
fell  to  the  ground.  Her  left  arm  was 
stretched  out  to  the  fire  as  if  seeking  aid, 
and  the  light  of  the  flickering  little  flames 
played  about  the  white  hand  from  which  life 
was  slowly  ebbing. 

For  a  moment  the  murderer  stared  be- 
wildered at  the  dead  woman,  then  he  turned 
the  weapon  on  himself  and,  with  a  second 
shot,  put  an  end  to  his  life,  thus  expiating 
the  many  sins  which  had  proved  his  un- 
doing. 

Four  days  after,  in  a  lonely  churchyard  on 
the  banks  of  the  Thames,  all  that  was  mortal 
of  these  two  was  laid  to  rest.  Nobody  sus- 
pected who  they  were,  nobody  guessed  the 
tragedy  and  sins  of  their  lives  now  atoned 
for  in  death. 


i8  273 


APPENDIX 

SOME  EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  COURT- 
MARTIAL  PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST 
LIEUT.    BILSE 


SOME  EXTRACTS  FROM  THE 
COURT-MARTIAL  PROCEED- 
INGS AGAINST  LIEUT.  BILSE 

THE  following  extracts  from  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  court-martial,  and  some  of 
the  testimony  of  the  principal  witnesses, 
with  the  names  of  the  officers  described,  may  be  of 
interest. 

The  trial  took  place  in  Metz  from  the  9th  to 
the  13th  of  November,  1903.  The  scene  of  the 
court-martial  was  a  rather  small  room,  hardly  ac- 
commodating twenty  persons.  Ten  of  these  were 
German  and  French  newspaper  reporters,  and  the 
rest  were  the  high  officers  constituting  the  court- 
martial,  including  the  president,  the  prosecuting 
counsel,  and  the  counsel  for  the  defence,  and  also 
the  General  Commandant  of  Metz. 

Just  before  the  opening  of  the  court-martial  the 
accused  was  brought  in.      He  was  in  uniform,  but 
without  his  sword.      He  is  a  good-looking,  slender, 
277 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


fair-haired  young  fellow,  with  a  blonde  moustache, 
and  he  wears  eye-glasses.  His  appearance  was 
very  attractive,  and  his  manners  quiet  and  dig- 
nified. 

Before  the  hearing  of  the  witnesses,  one  day's 
session  was  entirely  occupied  in  the  reading  of  the 
novel  in  question. 

In  the  novel  Lieutenant  Bilse  is  supposed  to 
have  described  himself  in  the  character  of  Lieuten- 
ant Bleibtreu. 

In  the  course  of  his  examination  he  said  in  re- 
gard to  the  impulse  which  led  him  to  write  this 
book :  "  I  entered  the  army,  for  I  felt  that  to  be 
my  vocation,  and  in  the  beginning  I  was  quite 
happy.  Later,  when  I  was  transferred  to  Lorraine, 
I  recognised  the  great  difference  between  life  in 
the  frontier  garrison  towns  and  the  other  garrisons 
in  the  empire.  I  observed  evils  and  abuses  which 
took  away  all  my  illusions.  These  I  noticed  es- 
pecially in  my  garrison  of  Forbach.  There  have 
been  already  innumerable  complaints  about  the 
condition  of  the  frontier  garrison  towns,  and  so  I 
thought  that  another  voice  raised  in  protest  would 
do  no  harm.  It  was  for  this  reason  that  I  wrote 
my  book. 

"  I   had  determined    to   use   my  imagination   as 
278 


far  as  possible,  but  it  is  very  natural  that  in  a  book 
which  is  written  for  a  purpose  events  should  be 
described  that  are  known  to  one  and  characters 
with  which  one  is  familiar.  That  is  probably 
what  happens  to  every  author  if  he  confines  him- 
self to  his  own  experience.  So  the  circle  which  I 
could  describe  was  inevitably  small,  as  I  am  still 
very  young.  Naturally  it  was  far  from  my  inten- 
tion to  portray  persons  and  events  in  Forbach  so 
accurately  that  they  should  be  recognised." 

Questioned  as  to  whether  he  was  aware  of  the 
regulation  which  deals  with  the  literary  activity  of 
men  in  military  service,  he  replied  that  he  knew  it, 
but  thought  the  order  only  applied  to  works  of  a 
technical  and  tactical  description,  and  that  it  had, 
therefore,  no  reference  to  works  of  fiction,  for 
which  no  permission  was  required,  especially  as 
many  officers  these  days  write  novels  without  per- 
mission, and  are  engaged  in  journalistic  work. 

The  hearing  of  the  accused  was  followed  by  the 
testimony  of  the  witnesses.  The  first  one  exam- 
ined was  Pharmacist  Dreesen,  of  Forbach,  called  to 
testify  to  a  charge  of  cowardice  preferred  against 
Major  Fuchs  (Colonel  von  Kronau  in  the  novel), 
the  commander  of  the  regiment. 
279 


Life  in  a  Ganison  Toivn 


Pres.  You  are  said  to  have  sent  Major  Fuchs 
a  challenge,  out  of  which  he  "  sneaked  "  and  saved 
himself  at  the  expense  of  a  woman  ? 

Jns.  He  forbade  his  officers  coming  to  my 
house,  and  the  reason  he  gave  was  that  my  wife 
had  made  uncomplimentary  remarks  about  them. 
I  demanded  an  explanation,  and  was  told  that  a 
lady  of  the  regiment  was  responsible  for  the  gossip. 
The  Major  therefore  withdrew  his  prohibition  and 
informed  the  assembled  officers  that  it  was  a  mis- 
take, and  at  the  same  time  he  apologised  to  me. 

Pres.  Did  you  know  that  the  Major  punished 
such  officers  as  still  visited  you  ? 

Jns.     Yes. 

Pres.     What  did  you  do  on  hearing  of  this  ? 

Jns.  I  went  to  a  friend.  Justice  Weber,  and 
asked  him  to  take  my  challenge  to  the  Major,  but 
he  regretted  to  be  unable  to  serve  me  as  he  had 
himself  invited  the  Major  to  a  party  the  next  day. 
So  I  asked  Staff-Surgeon  Pollack,  who  went  to  him. 
The  Major  referred  him  to  a  lady,  the  wife  of 
Captain  Ey  of  the  regiment.  When  Pollack  came 
back  and  told  me,  I  said  :  "  Do  not  waste  time ; 
if  he  cannot  give  a  satisfactory  explanation,  chal- 
lenge him."  So  Dr.  Pollack  went  back  to  the 
Major,  who  thereupon  went  with  him  to  Frau  Ey 
280 


Appendix 

(Frau  Stark),  who  confessed  that  she  had  possibly 
been  mistaken  in  what  she  had  repeated. 

Pres.  Did  it  seem  to  you  as  if  Frau  Ey  was 
willing  to  take  the  blame  on  herself  to  protect  the 
Major  ? 

Jns.  I  cannot  say  ;  it  is  now  three  or  four 
years  ago. 

Pres.  Further,  it  is  said  in  the  novel  that  the 
Major  was  very  unpopular  among  the  civilians. 
Do  you  know   from  experience  ? 

Jns.     Well,  he  was  not  exactly  beloved. 

Pres.      Was  he  cut  ? 

Arts.     No,  not  exactly,  but  he  was  never  invited. 

Pres.  Did  you  recognise  all  the  characters  in 
the  book  ? 

Ans.  Yes.  The  most  lifelike  are  Frau  Ey  and 
Major  Fuchs.  All  Forbach  was  full  of  it  ;  even 
the  ordinary  day  labourers  had  read  the  book. 

Major  Fuchs  (Colonel  von  Kronau),  fifty  years 
old,  has  been  at  Forbach  since  1899.  Obviously 
Major  Fuchs  is  identical  with  Colonel  von  Kronau, 
even  to  the  tear  in  his  eye.  Recognised  himself 
in  the  portrait.  In  regard  to  the  challenge  there 
is  no  truth  in  it  except  that  in  1900  Frau  Ey  re- 
peated to  him  what  Frau  Dreesen  had  said,  that 
281 


Life  in  a  Gai^rison  Town 


though  the  officers  were  ready  enough  to  accept 
invitation  from  the  civilians  and  eat  their  fill  at 
their  houses,  they  never  in  return  invited  these 
to  the  regiment's  tennis  club.  He  considered  it 
an  insult  that  the  lady  should  require  an  equivalent 
for  her  hospitality.  He  therefore  prohibited  his 
officers  from  going  there.  When  this  became 
town  talk  Herr  Dreesen  sent  Dr.  Pollack  for  an 
explanation. 

Pres.  He  is  supposed  to  have  brought  you  a 
challenge  ? 

Jns.  Not  that  I  know  of.  Dr.  Pollack  and  I 
went  to  Frau  Ey  and  she  said  she  was  possibly 
mistaken,  and  so  I  expressed  my  regrets  and  the 
prohibition  was  withdrawn. 

Pres.  It  is  affirmed  in  the  novel  that  you 
showed  no  proper  energy  in  dealing  with  the 
criminal  intimacy  between  Lieutenant  Block  (Kol- 
berg)  and  Frau  Erdler  (Kahle)  which  was  long 
known  to  everybody,  and  you  were  most  incom- 
petent in  the  conduct  of  the  whole  affair  ? 

Jns.  I  am  not  aware  of  that.  Erdler  was 
transferred  to  Spandau,  where  he  is  still  captain. 
His  wife  stayed  here  some  time  longer  in  the  fam- 
ily of  Lieutenant  Lindner.  One  day  she  disap- 
peared and  came  home  very  late,  and  it  was  found, 
282 


Appendix 

the  result  of  a  torn  letter  pieced  together,  that  she 
had  gone  to  meet  Lieutenant  Block,  The  result 
was  that  Erdler  and  Block  fought,  and  then  Erdler 
got  a  divorce  from  his  wife.  It  is  not  true  that 
Block  was  not  punished,  for  he  was  transferred  to 
the  15th  Battalion  stationed  at  Strasbourg. 

Pres.  Do  you  know  what  punishment  Block 
received  for  his  criminal  intimacy  that  resulted  in 
this  divorce  ? 

Jns.  As  far  as  I  know  a  reprimand.  For  the 
duel  he  was  sentenced  to  six  months'  imprison- 
ment. 

Pres.  What  in  regard  to  the  influence  of  Frau 
Ey  over  you  ?  She  is  supposed  to  have  used  that 
power  to  have  her  husband  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  major  ? 

Ans.  My  wife  and  I  associate  with  Frau  Ey, 
but  she  has  no  influence  whatever  over  me. 

Pres.  It  is  said  that  you  made  her  complaints 
the  subject  of  official  discussion,  and  ordered  your 
officers  to  wear  dancing-spurs  because  her  dress 
had  been  torn  at  a  ball,  and  that  you  also  repri- 
manded them  for  not  kissing  her  hand,  which  was 
in  a  dirty  riding-glove  of  her  husband's  ? 

Ans.  I  remember  the  order,  but  not  that  Frau 
Ey  was  the  cause. 

283 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Pres.  What  about  your  command  that  your 
officers   should  not  again  go  to  Saarbriick  ? 

Ans.  I  gave  that  order  because  they  were  all 
running  into  debt  there,  the  married  ones  as  well 
as  the  single,  and  that  even  after  several  had  to 
send  in  their  resignations  because  of  such  debts. 
I  wished  to  keep  them  all  under  control.  The 
order  has  now  been  countermanded. 

Pres.  It  is  said  that  you  insisted  so  perempto- 
rily on  the  payment  of  casino  debts,  that  in  conse- 
quence your  officers  had  to  borrow  from  usurers, 
with  the  result  that  they  got  into  their  clutches  ? 

Ans.  Some  of  the  gentlemen  owed  as  much  as 
600  to  700  marks,  and  there  were  debts  to  the  ca- 
sino of  2000  which  had  to  be  paid  to  keep  it  going. 
I  had  often  insisted  on  payment  5  the  demand  was 
therefore  not  unexpected. 

Pres.  It  is  said  you  were  in  the  habit  of  order- 
ing such  expensive  bowls  of  punch  at  the  casino 
parties  that  it  caused  the  officers  great  and  unneces- 
sary expense  ? 

Jns.  If  it  was  done  it  was  with  the  consent  of 
all.  At  any  rate,  as  I  always  use  cheap  wines,  the 
expense  could  not  have  exceeded  2  marks  per  head. 

Pres.     It  is  said  you  refused  to  give  ex-Sergeant 
Apel  (Schmitz)  his  sick  pension  ? 
284, 


Jus.      I  do  not  remember  that. 

Pres.  It  is  also  said  that  at  a  costume  festival 
of  the  regiment  the  champagne  flowed  in  streams, 
and  you,  dressed  as  a  Hungarian  magnate,  were 
soon   half-seas  over  ? 

Jns.  The  festival  is  accurately  described  and 
so  are  the  costumes  with  the  exception  of  mine. 
There  was  a  good  deal  of  drinking,  but  I  did  not 
lose  my  self-control. 

Pres.  Is  it  true  that  Frau  Ey  was  in  the  habit 
of  bullying  the  non-commissioned  officers,  and  that 
she  was  on  very  bad  terms  with  her  husband  ? 

Ans.  Never  heard  of  it.  Never  knew  the  pair 
to  fling  slippers  at  each  other's  heads.  His  man- 
ners are  rather  rough,  and  possibly  he  may  have 
said  "  hold  your  jaw."  He  certainly  was  not  in- 
competent, or  witness  would  not  have  recommended 
him  for  promotion. 

Pres.  It  is  said  that  Frau  Ey  often  fetched  her 
husband  home  from  the  ale-house  when  he  was 
tipsy,  to  the  amusement  of  the  people  about.  Was 
he  often  in  this  condition  ? 

Ans.     No;   he  was  only  exhilarated. 

Pres.      It  is  said  that  the  relation  between  Lieu- 
tenant Koch  (Leimann  in  the  novel)  and  his  wife 
was  very  bad.      What  do  you  know  of  the  criminal 
285 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


intimacy   of  this    woman    and    Lieutenant    Witte 
(Borgert)  ? 

Jns.     Officially  I  know  nothing. 

Pres.  What  do  you  know  of  Lieutenant  Koch's 
attempt  to  induce  Captain  Bandel  to  embezzle 
money   from  the   squadron   funds  ? 

Jns.  The  matter  has  been  settled  by  the  Court 
of  Honour,  and  Captain  Bandel  exonerated.  I 
know  that  many  notes  were  in  circulation  endorsed 
by  Koch  and  Witte  for  each  other,  and  to  the  value 
of  many  thousand  marks. 

Pres.      Have  these  notes  ever  been  paid  ? 

Jns.     No. 

Pres.     Is  it  true  that  Koch  is  away  on  leave  ? 

Jns.  Yes.  He  has  sent  in  his  papers  and  they 
have  been  accepted. 

Pres.  Are  the  descriptions  in  the  book  of  Koch 
and  Witte  accurate  ^. 

Jns.      Quite. 

Captain  Ey  (Stark)  stationed  at  Forbach  for 
seven  years.  Never  ill-treated  his  wife.  She  has 
nothing  whatever  to  do  with  his  regiment,  nor  has 
she  any  influence  on  the  major.  The  description 
of  the  inspection  of  the  stables  is  not  accurate. 
His  wife  is  much  interested  in  horses.  Is  greatly 
286 


Appendia.' 

annoyed  at  the  description  of  Captain  Stark,  which 
was  undoubtedly  intended  for  him.  Takes  his 
evening  drink,  of  course,  but  his  voice  is  hoarse 
only  as  the  result  of  shouting  orders.  The  musical 
evening  is  very  accurately  described  in  the  novel. 

Pres.  In  one  passage  it  is  said  you  were  quite 
drunk  at  the  White  Swan,  and  that  your  wife 
came,  made  a  scene,  and  took  you  home  amid 
general  hilarity. 

J?7S.  It  is  true  that  my  wife  came  several  times  to 
fetch  me,  but  not  in  the  way  described  in  the  novel. 

Captain  Bandel  (Konig),  aged  41,  in  Forbach 
since  1891.  Is  suspected  of  having  helped  to 
write  the  book  with  Bilse,  the  more  so  as  he  has 
been  suspended  from  service  since  January  ist. 
Bandel  acknowledges  being  very  intimate  with 
Bilse.  Knew  nothing  about  the  book  until  it  was 
published.  Had  often  talked  with  Bilse  about  the 
scandals  of  the  frontier  garrison  life  as  described 
in  the  newspapers.  Did  not  believe  Bilse  had  any 
intention  of  harming  his  comrades.  Found  him 
one  of  the  few  men  in  the  service  who  never 
speaks  ill  of  his  brother  officers. 

Pres.  What  do  you  know  about  the  duel  with 
Pharmacist  Dreesen  and  the  relation  between  Ma- 
287 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


jor  Fuchs  and   Frau  Ey  ?      Is  it  true  that  he  tried 
to  shield  himself  behind  her  skirts  ? 

Jns.  Is  it  necessary  to  go  into  that  ?  Every- 
body knows  about  it.  I  remember  one  day  Frau 
Ey  came  to  me  and  said  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
"There  was  nothing  else  for  me  to  do.  I  couldn't 
let  the  apothecary  kill  father  Fuchs,  so  I  sacrificed 
myself  for  him."  Dreesen  is  an  expert  shot. 
Later,  when  we  were  again  permitted  to  go  to  the 
Dreesens',  and  the  Major  became  very  devoted  to 
Frau  Ey,  I  felt  that  something  was  up.  Lieu- 
tenant Witte  (Borgert)  told  us  one  day  that  he 
overheard  the  Major  say  to  Frau  Ey,  "  Do  not 
worry.  I  shall  not  drop  you  "  j  to  which  she 
repeated,  "  You  had  better  not,  or  I  shall  scratch 
your  eyes  out  !  " 

Pres.  It  is  said  in  the  book  that  his  superiors 
had  noticed  the  incompetency  of  Captain  Stark  (Ey), 
and  that  Oberst  von  Kronau  (Major  Fuchs)  refers 
to  this  in  his  interview  with  Frau  Stark  (Frau  Ey)  ? 

Jns.  I  heard  that  the  commandant  from  Stras- 
bourg was  severe  in  his  censure  on  the  condition 
of  the  stable. 

Pres.  Do  you  know  if  Major  Fuchs  made  Frau 
Ey's  complaints  the  subject  of  remark  at  a  service 
conference  ? 

288 


Am.  Yes.  It  was  about  the  use  of  dancing- 
spurs  and  the  hand-kiss  Lieutenant  Bilse  refused  to 
give. 

Pres.  What  about  Frau  Ey's  use  of  troop- 
horses  ? 

Am.  She  drove  two  and  rode  one.  Once, 
when  I  mounted  my  little  boy  on  a  troop-horse  I 
was  reprimanded  for  disobeying  orders,  while  Frau 
Ey  used  the  troop-horses  every  day  with  the  consent 
of  the  commanding  officer. 

Pres.  What  are  your  relations  with  Lieutenants 
Koch  and  Witte  ? 

Am.  We  were  once  quite  friendly,  but  since  a 
certain  time  we  are  on  very  bad  terms. 

Pres.  You  are  supposed  to  have  been  asked  by 
these  two  to  make  an  illegal  use  of  the  squadron 
funds  for  their  benefit,  and  when  you  refused  they 
denounced  you  as  having  once  made  such  an 
attempt  ?  You  were  then  called  before  the  Court 
of  Honour  and  suspended  from  service  ? 

Am.  It  was  proved  that  I  never  made  such  an 
attempt,  but  I  pretended  to,  to  show  them  the  dif- 
ficulty and  danger,  and  so  prevent  any  further 
attempts  at  borrowing. 

Pres.  According  to  the  novel  the  inquiry  took 
a  long  time  ? 

19  289 


Life  ill  a  GaiTison  Town 


Ans.  I  have  been  suspended  from  service  since 
last  January.  I  wished  to  send  in  my  resignation 
in  March,  but  could  not  because  this  matter  vi^as 
not  settled. 

Pres.  Was  yours  the  only  case  before  the  Court 
of  Honour  ? 

Ans.  No  ;  there  were  new  scandals  every  week, 
and  ample  material. 

Pres.  Do  you  know  anything  of  the  pecuniary 
circumstances  of  Lieutenants  Koch  and  Witte  ? 

Ans.  Their  circumstances  were  very  bad,  and 
they  were  deeply  in  debt. 

Pres.  Do  you  know  that  Lieutenant  Witte  was 
suspected  of  criminal  intimacy  with  Frau  Koch  ? 

Ans.     Yes. 

Pres.  Do  you  believe  that  all  can  recognise 
themselves  in  the  characters  of  this  book  ? 

Ans.     Only  such  as  have  a  bad  conscience. 

Pres.  What  about  the  incident  in  the  novel 
relating  to  the  ill-treatment  of  a  soldier-servant 
(Rose)  by  Borgert  (Witte)  ? 

Ans.      Had  heard  of  such  an  affair. 

Pres.  What  do  you  know  of  Lieutenant  Witte's 
endeavours  to  suppress  the  story  ? 

Ans.     Remember  it  was  ordered  that  this  man's 
mother,  who  lived  in  Forbach  and  who  took  offi- 
290 


Appciidiv 

cers  to  lodge,  should  have  no  more  sent  to  her,  but 
Lieutenant  Witte,  in  spite  of  this,  induced  a  newly 
arrived  officer  to  take  up  his  lodgings  there,  for  the 
reason  that  the  woman  had  threatened  to  report 
him  (Lieutenant  Witte). 

Pres.  It  is  also  said  that  Lieutenant  Habenicht 
(Specht)  reported  a  sentry  falsely  for  sleeping  at  his 
post  ? 

Jns.     Of  this  I  know  nothing. 

Questioned  as  to  whether  he  believed  the  de- 
nunciation against  him  of  dishonestly  using  the 
squadron  funds,  and  of  which  the  Court  of  Honour 
had  acquitted  him,  had  emanated  from  Lieutenants 
Koch  and  Witte,  witness  declared  it  must  have, 
for  as  soon  as  he  refused  to  lend  these  two  any 
more  money,  he  was  denounced,  and  this  action 
was  begun  against  him. 

The  hearing  of  the  witnesses  Koch  and  Witte 
followed,  but  at  the  request  of  the  members  of  the 
Court  Martial,  it  was  conducted  in  camera  in  the 
interest  of  morality  and  discipline. 

First  Lieutenant   Habenicht    recognised    himself 

in  the  character  of  Lieutenant  Specht   because  of 

a  circumstance  in   the  novel    relating  to  a   notice 

posted  regarding  the  forage-master.  Sergeant  Schmitz, 

291 


Life  in  a  Garnson  Town 


who  disobeyed  the  commands  of  Sergeant-Major 
Roth,  which  notice  was  nearly  identical  with  one 
he  had  himself  posted.  Witness  further  said  on 
being  questioned  as  to  why  he  was  transferred  to 
Forbach,  that  he  had  never  considered  his  trans- 
ference as  a  punishment;  on  the  contrary,  he  was 
at  the  same  time  promoted  to  be  First  Lieutenant. 

Pres.  It  is  said  you  went  in  full  uniform  to  the 
train  to  meet  your  mistress,  and  that  she  carried 
provisions   for  which  she  had   paid  ? 

Jns.  I  acknowledge  my  intimacy  with  such  a  per- 
son, like  the  rest  of  my  comrades,  but  I  never  went 
to  meet  her  in  uniform.     I  protest  against  this. 

Pres.  What  do  you  know  of  the  criminal  inti- 
macy between   Frau   Koch  and  Lieutenant  Witte  ? 

Jns.  I  only  know  that  they  were  on  friendly 
terms. 

The  next  witness  was  Lieutenant  Block  (Kol- 
berg).  The  request  of  the  counsel  for  the  prosecu- 
tion that  this  witness  should  also  be  heard  in  camera 
in  the  interest  of  public  morality,  was  refused. 

Pres.  What  were  your  relations  with  Frau 
Erdler  (Kahle)  ?      Did  you  know  she  was  divorced  ? 

Jns.     Yes. 

Pres.  In  the  book  we  are  told  that  you  were  on 
292 


Ajipcndix 

the  most  intimate  terms  with  her,  that  she  came  to 
see  you  in  your  room,  and  that  your  orderly  had  made 
very  compromising  discoveries  there.  That  when 
Frau  Erdler  was  staying  at  Lieutenant  Lindner's 
she  received  a  note  from  you  appointing  a  meeting  ? 

Jns.  I  did  write  to  fVau  Erdler,  but  I  was  never 
her  lover.  The  matter  was  submitted  to  the  Court 
of  Honour.  Her  husband  and  I  fought  a  duel,  for 
which  I  am  at  present  undergoing  six  months' 
imprisonment. 

Pres.  Do  you  know  why  Frau  Erdler  was 
divorced  ? 

Atis.     Not  exactly,  but  I  know  she  lost  her  case. 

Pres.  It  is  said  that  after  Captain  Erdler  was 
transferred  to  Spandau  you  sent  a  very  compro- 
mising letter  to  Frau  Erdler,  who  was  then  the 
guest  of  Lieutenant  Lindner  .? 

Ans.  It  is  true  I  did  write  a  letter  to  Frau 
Erdler  and  asked  her  to  meet  me.  We  took  a 
walk  together  and  got  lost,  and  returned  four  hours 
later  than  we  intended. 

Pres.  You  were  a  witness  in  the  divorce  case 
and  denied  any  intimacy  .'' 

Jns.     Yes. 

Pres.  Later  you  fought  a  duel  with  Captain 
Erdler  ? 

293 


Life  in  a  Gariison  Town 


Ans.     Yes,  in  Spandau. 

Pres.     After  which  you  were  punished  ? 

Ans.  Yes,  I  was  dismissed  from  the  service, 
but,  on  an  appeal  for  mercy,  was  instead  only 
punished  with  a  reprimand. 

Pres.  Do  you  know  if  the  divorce  was  granted 
because  of  your  testimony  ? 

Ans.     No. 

First  Lieutenant  Lindner  recognised  himself  as 
Weil  in  the  novel. 

Pres.  Are  the  circumstances  true,  as  there  de- 
scribed, of  Frau  Erdler's  presence  in  your  house  ? 

Ans.  Yes,  we  were  very  intimate  with  the 
Erdlers.  He  was  a  fine  man,  and  she  seemed  a 
most  honourable  woman,  from  whom  I  never 
heard  an  improper  word  nor  suspected  of  an  im- 
proper action.  On  the  contrary,  she  became  very 
intimate  with  us  at  the  time  the  scandal  about 
Lieutenant  Witte  and  Frau  Koch  was  made  public, 
and  she  was  most  indignant  about  it.  Indeed  she 
told  my  wife  that  with  the  exception  of  her  no  one 
was  left  in  the  regiment  with  whom  she  cared  to 
associate.  She  was  a  delicate  woman  and  had 
some  heart  trouble.  When  her  husband  was  trans- 
ferred to  Spandau,  she  begged  my  wife  to  let  her 
294 


Append iv 

stay  with  us  until  the  moving  was  over.  During 
the  last  days  of  her  visit  she  changed  very  much 
and  became  very  excitable.  One  day  she  received 
a  letter,  read  it,  tore  it  up,  and  threw  the  pieces 
into  the  fireplace.  She  explained  that  she  was 
invited  that  afternoon  to  P'rau  Goeben's.  She 
went  out,  and  as  late  at  night  she  had  not  returned, 
my  wife  became  very  anxious,  so  I  sent  my  orderly 
to  the  Goebens'  to  see  her  home.  He  did  not 
find  her  there,  nor,  it  seems,  had  she  been  invited. 
Upon  which  I  sent  him  to  Major  Fuchs  to  find 
out  if  she  was  there,  and  she  was  not.  At  eleven 
o'clock  we  heard  her  creep  into  her  room.  My 
wife  had  in  the  meantime  picked  up  the  torn  letter 
out  of  the  fireplace.  It  said  :  "  My  treasure,  I  am 
waiting  for  you  at  the  usual  place."  I  was  furious 
to  find  how  this  woman  had  abused  our  hospitality. 
I  at  once  went  to  Major  Fuchs  with  the  letter  as 
it  was  my  duty  to  do  under  such  circumstances. 
He  said  :  "I  do  not  want  to  know  what  is  in  the 
letter.  Turn  the  woman  out  of  doors.  She  has 
ceased  to  be  the  wife  of  an  officer."  In  the  morn- 
ing when  Frau  Erdler  came  down  I  requested  her 
to  leave  my  house.     I  have  never  seen  her  since. 

Pres.      Did  Lieutenant  Bilse  know  of  this  event 
and  the  letter  ? 

295 


Life  in  a  Gatyison  Town 


Ans.  Yes.  Lieutenant  Witte  (Borgert)  read 
the  letter  to  the  officers  in  the  casino. 

Counsel  for  the  defence.  I  should  like  to  ask 
witness  a  question  as  to  the  reputation  of  the  Koch- 
Witte  family. 

Ans.  It  is  easily  described  by  a  couplet  circulated 
amongst  the  officers  :  — 

**  Im  Hause  Koch  und  Witte 
Da  herrscht  Zucht  und  Sitte." 

In  the  house  of  Koch  and  Witte 
Modesty  reigns  and  chasdty. 

Pres.  What  do  you  know  of  the  relation  of 
Frau  Koch  and  Lieutenant  Witte  from  personal 
experience  ? 

Ans.  Have  seen  them  meet  in  a  cul-de-sac  be- 
hind my  house  in  the  evening,  evidently  by  appoint- 
ment. Their  intimacy  was  very  conspicuous.  Have 
seen  her  take  a  rose  from  her  corsage,  kiss  it,  and 
make  signals  with  it  to  Lieutenant  Witte.  The 
casino  steward  told  me  certain  very  compromising 
incidents  concerning  them.  Possibly  the  relation- 
ship between  the  two  was  correct  at  first,  but  was 
suspected  when  they  were  seen  constantly  together 
at  Saarbruck,  where  they  were  the  talk  of  the  town. 

Counsel  for  the  prosecution  (to  the  accused).  Do 
296 


Appendix 

you  affirm  your  description  of  this  affair  to  be  only 
the  work  of  your  imagination  ? 

Jns.  I  repeat  that  I  knew  something  of  these  cir- 
cumstances and  I  considered  them  of  sufficient  inter- 
est to  use  them  as  a  background  for  my  story. 

First  Lieutenant  Koch  (Leimann)  bitterly  blames 
Lieutenant  Lindner  for  telling  such  unfounded 
scandal  about  his  wife,  who  was  now  dead. 

(This  was  followed  by  a  violent  altercation 
between  the  two  officers.) 

Pres.     Witness  has  sworn  to  tell  the  whole  truth. 

Adjutant  Schmidt  recognises  himself  in  the  novel 
as  Adjutant  Miiller. 

Pres.      By  what  description  ? 

Jns.     My  big  appetite.     (Laughter.) 

Pres.  You  are  accused  of  always  being  ready 
for  a  fight  when  drunk  ? 

Jns.  Acknowledge  being  irritable  when  drunk, 
but  not  ready  to  come  to  blows. 

Pres.  You  are  said,  when  drunk,  to  have 
reported  a  sentry  without  any  reason  who  got 
fourteen  days'  arrest  in  consequence,  or  is  that 
imaginary  ? 

Jns.     I  never  reported  a  sentry. 
■297 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Town 


Testimony  of  non-commissioned  officers. 

Lehmann,  described  in  the  novel  as  Sergeant- 
Major  Roth,  who  on  occasion  of  his  birthday  got 
drunk  in  company  of  Sergeant  Apel  (Schmitz)  and 
confessed  to  him  with  disgraceful  frankness  that  he 
had  a  way  of  keeping  their  wages  from  reservists 
and  of  squeezing  money  out  of  rich  one-year  volun- 
teers. He  complained  that  he  had  been  described 
as  a  perjurer,  a  scoundrel  and  a  thief,  and  when  he 
went  to  Saarbriick  recently  people  jeered  at  him 
and  avoided  him. 

Counsel  for  defence.  Lieutenant  Bilse  denies 
that  he   meant  to  describe  you. 

Jns.  Three  things  convince  me  that  I  am 
meant — the  sergeant-major,  the  picture  of  Bis- 
marck in  my  house  which  I  bought  from  the  Herr 
Lieutenant  for  fifteen  marks  (laughter),  and  also 
the  sofa  on  which  we  sit  in  the  novel,  which  I  also 
bought  from  him  for  forty  marks. 

Accused.  It  is  true  that  this  man  bought  these 
articles  from  me.  At  that  time  I  went  away  on 
leave  and  these  non-commissioned  officers  pestered 
me  to  sell  them  my  furniture.  This  man  came 
among  others.  I  asked  him  first  how  much  he 
wished  to  give  and  sold  the  things  to  him  at  a 
price  much  below  their  value. 
298 


Pres.  (to  Lchmann).  Did  you  punish  the 
blacksmith  Apel  (Schmitz)  for  disobeying  orders, 
and  is  it  true  that  after  having  caroused  with  Ser- 
geant Apel  you  reported  him  because  of  some 
trouble  in  the  stable  and  that  he  was  sentenced  to 
six  weeks  and  one  day's  arrest  in  consequence  ? 

j^ns.     Yes. 

Pres.  Did  the  attack  on  New  Year's  Eve  take 
place  as  described  in  the  book  ? 

Ans,      No  ;  that  is  imaginary. 

The  next  witness  was  ex-Sergeant  Apel 
(Schmitz),  employed  now  in  a  factory  at  Burbach. 
Recognised  himself  in  the  novel  as  the  blacksmith 
Schmitz.  The  incidents  in  the  book  are  correct. 
He  was  punished  by  six  weeks'  arrest  and  one  day's 
solitary  confinement  for  disobedience.  At  the  end 
of  his  sentence  he  was  refused  reinstatement,  and 
also  his  sick  pension  money.  He  energetically 
denied  that,  according  to  the  novel,  he  had  be- 
come a  socialist.  He  could  have,  had  he  wishedj 
but  he  had  remained  faithful  to  his  king. 

The  deliberation  of  the  Court  Martial  lasted 
two  hours,  and  then  the  following  Verdict  was 
announced  : 

299 


Life  in  a  Garrison  Toivn 


"  The  accused,  Lieutenant  Oswald  Bilse,  is 
judged  guilty  of  having  libelled  his  superior  officers 
and  others  higher  in  rank  than  himself,  in  a  manner 
which  has  resulted  in  serious  consequences  to 
them.  Further,  he  has  disobeyed  a  stringent 
military  order,  namely :  the  Imperial  regulation 
regarding  the  literary  activity  of  persons  in  military 
service.  He  is  therefore  condemned  to  six  months' 
imprisonment  and  to  be  dismissed  from  the  service. 
Furthermore,  the  novel,  '  Aus  einer  kleinen  Garni- 
son  '  ('  Life  in  a  Garrison  Town  '),  which  contains 
said  libels,  shall  be  withdrawn  from  circulation, 
and  the  plates  and   forms  shall  be  destroyed." 

The  judgment  added  that  the  serious  conse- 
quences to  the  officers  libelled  consist  in  their 
being  made  ridiculous  in  the  eyes  of  their  troops 
as  well  as  of  civilians,  and  that  they  have  been 
injured  both  in  their  reputation  and  their  usefulness. 
In  considering  the  sentence  it  should  be  said  on 
behalf  of  the  accused  that  the  book,  which  is  no 
ordinary  pamphlet,  contains  matters  of  undeniable 
value,  in  particular  the  account  of  the  intimate 
life  in  frontier  garrison  towns,  the  debts  con- 
tracted by  officers,  the  remarks  on  duelling,  life  in 
penal  garrisons,  and  transference  as  a  method  of 
punishment. 

300 


Appendix 

At  the  close  of  the  proceedings  the  accused, 
accompanied  by  an  infantry  officer,  was  taken  back 
to  the  military  hospital,  as  he  was,  because  of  ill 
health,  under  medical  supervision.  On  leaving 
the  Court-room  many  officers  and  civilians  shook 
his  hand. 

The  sequel  to  the  Court  Martial  of  Lieutenant 
Bilse  was  officially  announced  in  Berlin  on  De- 
cember 30th.  It  affects  five  of  the  officers  who 
play  a  part  in  Lieutenant  Bilse's  book  : 

"  Major  Fuchs^  Commander  of  Transport,  Bat- 
talion 16,  stationed  at  Forbach,  has  been  allowed  to 
resign  with  permission  to  wear  the  uniform  of  the 
1 2th  Uhlan  Regiment,  and  with  legal  pension. 

"  Captain  Bandel^  allowed  to  resign  with  legal 
pension. 

"  Captain  Ey^  retired  on  half-pay,  with  legal 
pension  and  appointed  district  officer  at  Gnesen. 

'''■Lieutenant  Koch^  retired  on  half-pay  with  legal 
pension. 

"  Lieutenant  Habenicht^  retired  on  half-pay  with 
legal  pension." 


301 


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UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNIA 

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